Labor ministry strengthens protections for migrant workers in aquaculture

The labor ministry said Thursday it will strengthen on-site inspections and establish anonymous reporting channels to protect migrant workers in South Korea's aquaculture industry. Minister Kim Young-hoon hosted a meeting with industry associations and local officials in Gwangju to discuss measures preventing human rights abuses.

The number of migrant workers in fisheries has risen sharply, with seasonal E-8 visa holders increasing from 996 in 2021 to 8,796 in 2025. Non-specialized E-9 workers grew from 6,000 to 14,000 over the same period, while E-10 crew members rose from 18,000 to 21,000.

Reports of physical assault, unpaid wages and inadequate housing have prompted the government to act. The ministry plans to operate anonymous surveys in workers' native languages and appoint knowledgeable migrants as 'foreign human rights leaders' to identify risks early. Targeted inspections will focus on farms in Mokpo and Yeosu.

"Migrant workers today are indispensable key personnel in our fishing villages, not guests who stay briefly but colleagues and neighbors building workplaces and communities together," Kim said. He added that a workplace where laborers receive safe and fair treatment leads to stable staffing and higher productivity, ensuring the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry through mutual trust.

The government has expanded the quota for seasonal agricultural and fishery workers to 109,100 for 2026, a 14.1 percent increase from the previous year. Specifically for fisheries, 6,725 seasonal workers were allocated to 1,598 employers this year.