KUALA LUMPUR - Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea has welcomed 75 foreign seasonal workers from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to support local farms ahead of the main farming season.

The workers, comprising 61 from Laos, 11 from Cambodia and three from Vietnam, entered the country on January 28 and were officially received the following day.

City officials said the large-scale arrival marks the first major intake of foreign seasonal workers this year.

The move is expected to help ease labour shortages in rural areas as agricultural activities intensify.

Yangju Mayor Yang Soo-hyun attended the reception event to encourage employers and welcome the workers.

He urged the seasonal workers to play their roles as valuable partners in the rural community.

He also called on farmers to treat the workers with respect and care, as if they were family.

Upon arrival, the workers underwent health screenings and drug tests at the Yangju Agricultural Technology Centre.

They also attended drug prevention briefings by the public health centre and fire safety training conducted by the fire department.

In addition, the workers participated in an orientation programme to help them adapt to life and working conditions in South Korea.

Hana Bank was present to assist with bank account registration to reduce inconvenience during the initial settlement period.

City authorities said the programme reflects Yangju’s systematic approach to worker recruitment, training and settlement.

Officials added that the city is strengthening a reliable support system for both workers and employers.

Yangju has also expanded its partnerships by signing a new memorandum of understanding with the Philippines.

Filipino seasonal workers are scheduled to begin arriving from February.

The city said the inclusion of workers from four countries will give local farms greater flexibility in recruitment.

“The foreign seasonal worker programme has now been established as a stable and sustainable rural labour policy.

“We will continue to strengthen agricultural competitiveness and create a work environment that is friendly to human rights,” A Yangju City official said.