Gov't seeks to extend foreign workers' stay permits amid pandemic

The Korea Times

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Gov't seeks to extend foreign workers' stay permits amid pandemic

Posted : 2020-07-29 14:16

Updated : 2020-07-30 11:52

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun speaks during a coronavirus response meeting at the government complex in Sejong, Wednesday. Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

Korea is seeking to extend stay permits for foreign workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Wednesday that the government is planning to lengthen the stay for foreign workers and temporarily allow them to work on farms.

It would be a win-win for many workers who cannot immediately leave here after their visas have expired because of travel restrictions around the world, and the farmers who may need them for the coming harvest season, Chung said.

"After the pandemic, farmers have faced severe labor shortages," he said at a virus response meeting. "Meanwhile, some foreign workers say they are 'stuck' here due to shutdowns and travel restrictions by their countries."

Gov't steps up quarantine measures on sailors

The government is also stepping up quarantine measures on sailors coming from overseas.

Under the new measures, sailors from Russia and six other designated nations ― Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and the Philippines ― will be required to submit health certificates proving they have tested negative for the virus before entering Korea, the prime minister said

Over the past two months, Korea has reported nearly 90 imported cases tied to Russian ships docked here.

The government will keep watch on developing situations overseas, Chung said.

mj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr