On August 25, 2022, the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Mokpo Science University and the Association of Private Colleges of Technology and Vocational Education of Thailand for cooperation in expanding the Thai labour market in the field of technicians in the shipyard industry in South Korea. The occasion took place at the Prasong Rananant Conference Room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Suchart said that he had assigned the Permanent Secretary of Labour and committee to discuss the expansion of the Thai labour market with KHOSHIPA, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, and Mokpo Science University, on June 27, at the meeting room of Lotte Hotel, Myeongdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea. From the meeting with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, which collaborates with Mokpo Science University, the company supports foreign workers, and there is a need for Thai students who have graduated with a vocational certificate to study at the diploma level. During the course, participants will receive six months of language training, and they can take part in internships along with their studies. They will have an income of about 20 million Won per year. When they finish their studies, they can work with the company immediately by switching their visa from a D-2 visa to an E-7 visa, which is for skilled workers. They will then earn about 32 million Won per year, which is around 960,000 Baht, calculated from the exchange rate of 1 Won to 0.030 Baht. Today, the executives of Mokpo Science University and the Association of Private Colleges of Technology and Vocational Education of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Ministry of Labour as witnesses. The MoU aims to send more Thai technicians to work in the shipyard industry in South Korea.
Mr. Suchart continued that there was a demand for about 300 students to enter the system in the first year. In the future, it is forecasted there will be a demand for workers in the shipyard industry in Mokpo, in the fields of welders, painters, and electricians, which will reach around 1,500 people. At a meeting with KHOSHIPA, the Republic of Korea’s shipyards association, and Hyundai Heavy Industries, the South Korean government increased the quota for foreign workers to 20 percent of the company’s workforce. It is focused on foreign workers in Asia. Therefore, Thailand is one of the key countries and the focus for South Korea, which requires many workers.
According to South Korea, in 2020, there were many ship orders. Thus, there is a need to employ about 10,000 workers a year in three occupations, comprising 4,000 welders, 1,400 painters, 1,800 electricians, and 2,800 workers in other fields. South Korea is currently in a labour shortage. Especially in 2022, the workforce has dropped to 350,000 people. Thus, it is necessary to bring in foreign workers to work on E-7 (skilled) visas. Thailand is one country that is a focus for South Korea, which requires many workers aged between 24 and 45 years. Thailand is ready to support and encourage more Thai people to work in South Korea to align with the government’s policy. The Ministry of Labour is ready to perform the relevant tasks, including delivering Thai workers and developing skill training before deployment. They will prepare to send Thai workers on a skilled visa (E-7) to work in the shipbuilding industry to meet the needs of South Korea. On August 19, they conducted skills assessments in welding. Approximately 500 people took the test. Representatives of the association were also there to observe.
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Division of Public Relations
25 August 2022
