Quota for E-9 workers up 9,000 in 2012

The government said Thursday that it will increase the annual quota of migrant workers who come here under an employment permit system by 9,000 to 57,000 in 2012.

The increase reflects a growing demand for foreign workers at small- to medium-sized companies, according to the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

It said it could further increase the quota in the second half of the year, depending on labor supply and demand conditions. But any sharp increase is seen as unlikely as the government’s labor policy is focused on expanding jobs for Korean nationals.

The E-9 visa is issued to migrant workers under the work permit system. It was first implemented in 2004 to help local companies solve manpower shortages and at the same time ensure basic rights for migrant workers here.

Every year, the government sets the quota of E-9 holders. Under the system, those with E-9 visas can work here up to five years if they extend their visa for a further two years.

For the year's quota, 49,000 will be issued to those who will work at manufacturing companies, where manpower demand is the highest, followed by 4,500 in farming, 1,750 in fishing, 1,600 in construction and 150 in the service sector.

To help companies maintain skilled workers, the government will also allocate 11,000 of the total to those who want to come back here after leaving the country voluntarily after their visas expire.

The government plans to maintain the total number of H-2 visa holders staying here at the current level of 303,000. The visa is mainly issued to ethnic Korean-Chinese, who work here as day laborers.

Every year, the government sets the quota of E-9 holders. Under the system, those with E-9 visas can work here up to five years if they extend their visa for a further two years.

ka sulyap ano ang ibig sabijin nito kinuha ko lang to sa statement sa taas na post mo.. masyadong alarming kasi ang ibig sabihin nito paki explain lang po...

maraming salamat and happy new year

kabayan dericko, pa add lang ako ng comment sa tanong mo. bale ang paliwanag nyan ay ang e-9 holder ay required ng 3years work stay here in korea. so pag binigyan ka ng re-entry ng amo mo sa 3rd year of stay mo, bale makakabalik ka ulit dito sa korea and have your another 2 years of stay. kaya magiging 5years total stay mo dito sa korea. pero ang pinakang batas ay hindi umaabot ng 5years to be exact ay dpat 4years and 10 months lang po.

i hope nakatulong po ako. thanks!