SEOUL - South Korea will prohibit employers with serious labour law violations from hiring foreign workers under proposed amendments aimed at strengthening worker protections.

The Ministry of Justice announced on Tuesday, 16th June,  that it had prepared revisions to the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act and would open the proposal for a 40-day public consultation period.

The amendments are intended to improve safeguards for foreign workers and address issues including delayed wages, workplace abuse and industrial accidents, as reported by ChosunBiz.

The move follows a widely publicised incident in February last year involving a 32-year-old Sri Lankan worker employed under the Employment Permit System.

The worker was reportedly tied to a forklift and mocked by an employee at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla Province.

Authorities said the amendments were drafted as part of broader measures introduced after the incident to address delayed wage payments and improve protections for migrant workers.

Under the proposed rules, employers convicted of labour law violations and fined at least five million won will be barred from hiring foreign workers for three years.

Current regulations generally impose restrictions only on employers who receive prison sentences or heavier penalties.

Companies publicly named for delayed wage payments will also face restrictions on recruiting foreign workers.

Employers found guilty of violating occupational safety regulations or the Serious Accidents Punishment Act could be banned from employing foreign workers for between one and three years.

The duration of the restriction would depend on the severity of the offence, the extent of harm caused and the likelihood of repeat violations.

Authorities may also consider employers' efforts to remedy the damage and improve compliance when determining the penalty period.

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said the amendments would provide stronger protection against risks such as workplace violence, repeated wage delays and industrial accidents.

He added that the measures would encourage employers to fulfil their obligations regarding wage payments and workplace safety, helping to create a safer environment for both foreign and local workers.