27 fish farm owners caught mistreating foreign workers

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The owners of 27 fish farms in Yeosu and Goheung, South Jeolla Province, have been caught mistreating foreign workers, according to officials on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said 27 fish farm operators, or more than 25 percent of 107 such workplaces inspected between March 25 and April 30, were confirmed to have violated the labor law or other administrative rules.

Officials said 10 of the employers failed to provide “safe and pleasant” accommodation for their workers as required by law. One was even found to make his workers stay on barges tied up near his fish farm.

Four such employers caught violating the law lost the licenses they need to hire foreign workers. The other six were ordered to improve employee living conditions.

Seventeen employers did not pay workers proper wages or violated visa rules, among others. They received penalties such as work permit restrictions, officials said.

The number of foreign workers in Korea has increased in recent years. With the country’s low birthrate remaining at record-low levels, the trend is expected to accelerate.

According to the ministry, the number of employers of foreign workers subject to its regular inspection swelled to 9,000 this year from 5,500 in 2023.

Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik said he would continue to strengthen monitoring of foreign workers in the country to ensure their safety and rights are protected.