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Labor ministry holds conference for Employment Permit System in Busan
Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik delivers a congratulatory speech during the 2023 EPS Conference in Busan at Westin Josun Busan, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Employment and Labor
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
A conference for the Employment Permit System (EPS) kicked off on Wednesday for a three-day run in Busan, co-hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea.
The EPS is a migration labor program, under which workers from 16 Asian countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, are allowed to work in Korea under special visas.
The ministry began holding the event in 2016 in a bid to enhance exchanges and cooperation between local governments and these countries.
The ministry decided to hold the annual event in the southeastern port city of Busan this year as part of efforts to support the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo.
Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon as well as ambassadors of the 16 countries were present for the 2023 EPS Conference in Busan.
“This year's event will be a chance to look back on the last 20 years of the EPS and prepare for the next 20 years,” the minister said in his congratulatory address. “We will fundamentally reform the system in accordance with many economic and social changes compared to 20 years ago.”
After his address, Lee awarded prizes to the owner of a factory that produces traditional Korean traditional sweets and cookies in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, as well as to Sri Lankan worker Kuda Baduge Chamara Chandimal Jayantha.
The factory was awarded in recognition for offering dormitories to migrant workers for free and for providing them with equal welfare and promotion opportunities.
The Sri Lankan worker was praised for her fluent Korean language skills and her consistent efforts to adjust to life in Korea.
During the event, the minister also held a meeting with ambassadors of the 16 countries to discuss measures to further enhance cooperation and other pending issues.