Korea to train Uzbek workers for shipbuilding jobs

This file photograph exhibits a welder engaged on a vessel at a shipbuilding yard in Ulsan, Oct. 25, 2021. Courtesy of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

Korea will practice and make use of employees from Uzbekistan via a particular program designed for the southeastern port metropolis of Ulsan, which is a significant hub for the nation’s shipbuilding business, officers stated on Thursday.

In response to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, about 280 employees will obtain coaching in Uzbekistan to amass the abilities and information required to construct ships and can arrive in Korea later this yr to work at shipbuilding firms. They’ll have E-9 work visas, that are for international laborers employed in labor-intensive industries reminiscent of agriculture, building and manufacturing.

This system was launched underneath the ministry’s broader plan to rent 130,000 employees from different international locations on that visa this yr amid Korea’s rising labor shortages ensuing from its persistently low birthrate.

“This system is predicted to profit each the employees and firms right here as training and coaching for the employee would cut back the danger of commercial accidents and enhance their work productiveness,” an official advised reporters.

This determination got here after ministry officers authorised a proposal from the Ulsan metropolis authorities, which prompt that offering coaching in key shipbuilding expertise — reminiscent of welding and portray — earlier than the employees arrived wouldn’t solely make their work safer but in addition considerably enhance effectivity.

Coaching for the primary personnel is about to start on March 18 at a facility supplied by the Uzbekistan authorities, as a part of the settlement between the 2 international locations. The Ulsan metropolis authorities will cowl the coaching prices at this location.

The primary group is predicted to reach in Korea in July, adopted by further teams all through the remainder of 2025. Upon arrival, they are going to bear a one-week orientation masking the labor system, security guidelines and tradition of the nation. Metropolis officers stated discovering jobs within the business won’t be tough, on condition that demand for employees is excessive, and they might assist them throughout the entire course of.

“The pilot challenge is significant in that the native authorities and firms will take part and straight practice the employees they want. That method, the businesses could have expert employees and the employees will regulate rapidly. Because of this, the concerned events could have higher communication, fewer industrial accidents and an improved work productiveness,” the ministry stated in a launch. “After seeing the results of this trial program, we’ll focus on whether or not it could be higher to undertake extra such tailor-made schemes additionally for different industries.”

Officers hope that this system will achieve making a safer work atmosphere. A report launched in November 2024 confirmed that 443 employees died on account of industrial accidents between January and September right here. Chatting with The Korea Instances, an official stated international employees — roughly 3.24 % of the full workforce in Korea — accounted for greater than 15 percent of the fatalities.

As the federal government seeks to additional enhance its Employment Allow System, it plans to permit and encourage extra firms to design future packages that facilitate the hiring of international employees.

“Beginning with shipbuilding, we’ll broaden collaboration fashions involving ‘customers’ reminiscent of native governments and native firms,” Vice Minister Kim Min-seok stated.