Workers from 17 Countries Employed in the Republic of Korea under Employment Permit System

On August 28, 2025, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Protection Mr. T. Aubakir met with Mr. Dongmyung Kim, President of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, to exchange views on the sending and receiving of contract workers.

Between 2004 and 2025, Mongolia has sent a total of 38,500 workers (cumulative count) to the Republic of Korea. Mongolian workers are primarily employed in metallurgy, food production, electronics, and waste recycling sectors.

The Government of the Republic of Korea recruits foreign workers from 17 countries under the E-9 visa employment permit system. Within this framework, Mongolian citizens are granted permission to work in industrial and service sectors for a three-year period, with scheduled monthly dispatches of workers from Mongolia. In 2024 alone, 722 Mongolian workers were deployed to Korea under the agreement between two countries.

During the meeting, President Dongmyung Kim highlighted that foreign workers employed under labour contracts in Korea are sometimes exposed to risks and workplace accidents. He emphasized that the Korean Government is paying close attention to improving working conditions and strengthening occupational safety oversight. In addition, close cooperation is being maintained with employers to prevent industrial accidents, including regular training, awareness-raising, and preventive measures for both workers and employers.

Both sides underlined the importance of reducing wage-related disputes, improving labor and human rights protections, and strengthening social security guarantees for contract workers.