Meeting Held to Strengthen Public-Private Cooperation on Cold Wave Safety for Migrant Workers

- Promoting cooperation with migrant worker support organizations to protect the health of migrant workers against extreme cold

- Conducting intensive inspections of vulnerable workplaces, including agriculture and fisheries, and collecting opinions on improvements to living conditions

Hyun-cheol Ryu, Head of the Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, met with representatives of migrant worker support organizations on November 26 (Wednesday), in order to protect the health of migrant workers in preparation for cold waves, enhance the effectiveness of cold wave inspections, and strengthen cooperative systems.

This meeting was held as a follow-up measure to the "Measures to Protect Workers' Health Against Cold Waves" announced on November 17, with the aim of ensuring the safety of migrant workers who are particularly vulnerable to extreme cold.

The meeting was attended by local migrant worker support organizations that are well aware of the vulnerable conditions faced by foreign workers. Participants freely discussed on-site conditions and difficulties related to migrant workers' living environments, cooperation on cold wave inspections, and requests and expectations toward the government.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has produced and distributed the "Five Basic Cold Wave Safety Guidelines*" in migrant workers' native languages (18 languages) to support those who face language barriers. In addition, in December, the Ministry plans to form joint inspection teams with local governments to conduct intensive inspections of vulnerable workplaces such as agriculture and fisheries, focusing on compliance with the "Five Basic Cold Wave Safety Guidelines," as well as heating and fire prevention facilities in accommodations and rest areas.

(Five Basic Cold Wave Safety Guidelines) 1) Warm clothing, 2) Warm shelters, 3) Warm water, 4) Adjustment of working hours, 5) Calling 119 in emergencies

Hyun-cheol Ryu, Head of the Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters, emphasized, "Migrant workers are valued members of our society, and each and every one of them must be treated without discrimination." He added, "We will actively review the on-the-ground opinions and suggestions provided for creating safe workplaces for migrant workers, and we will make our utmost efforts, together with relevant ministries and local governments, to ensure that migrant workers can live safely and warmly without concern for accidents."