Gyeonggi Province surveys 4,420 migrant worker accommodations amid heatwave

Gyeonggi Province is launching a comprehensive survey of 4,420 accommodations used by migrant workers in its agricultural, livestock, and fishing industries. The initiative, running for three weeks from June 24 to July 14, targets workers employed under the Employment Permit System and seasonal worker programs. This action comes in response to recurring safety and basic rights concerns for migrant workers residing in vulnerable structures, such as vinyl greenhouses and shipping containers, particularly during periods of intense heat.

The survey will focus on temporary structures like vinyl greenhouses, containers, and prefabricated panels, which are susceptible to fire and extreme heat. Beyond assessing the legality of these dwellings, Gyeonggi Province will scrutinize the availability of essential facilities like bathrooms and air conditioning, aiming to ensure a minimally humane living standard. The province plans to link workers in substandard conditions with its climate insurance and welfare programs for emergency aid and housing improvements.

For accommodations deemed unsafe for continued habitation, the province will collaborate with local governments to provide temporary housing. A unified support system integrating medical, welfare, and counseling services will also be activated. The initiative also aims to address systemic issues, with plans to pursue administrative procedures against employers who have provided temporary structures as housing without proper land use permits or legal authorization.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon emphasized the heightened risk posed by extreme weather events like heatwaves to residents in vulnerable housing. "We will carefully examine the situation to ensure migrant workers can live in a safer environment and establish a safety net for disaster-vulnerable populations," he stated. This survey is part of a broader effort, including joint inspections with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and local governments since mid-June, to assess heatwave preparedness at industrial sites and migrant worker accommodations.

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We will carefully examine the situation to ensure migrant workers can live in a safer environment and establish a safety net for disaster-vulnerable populations.