Gyeongnam Province and Uzbekistan sign a memorandum of understanding on the employment of seasonal agricultural workers

(Changwon=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jeong-hoon = Gyeongnam Province signed a work agreement with the government of Uzbekistan on the 14th at the provincial office to introduce foreign seasonal workers in the agricultural sector.

The province prepared this agreement to coincide with the visit of Bekzod Musayev, Director of the Uzbekistan State Employment Agency, to South Korea.

According to the agreement, the cities and counties of Milyang, Changnyeong, and Hapcheon will introduce seasonal workers from Uzbekistan to work in the agricultural sector, in accordance with the Ministry of Justice's "Basic Plan for the Foreign Seasonal Workers Program."

Earlier, Governor Park Wan-su visited Uzbekistan last month and exchanged a memorandum of understanding on overseas manpower cooperation with Director Musayev.

The province attached significance to the fact that the memorandum of understanding led to this work agreement.

Governor Park said, "I expect that this agreement will greatly help alleviate the chronic shortage of rural labor" and "we will spare no effort in providing support such as housing and interpretation to ensure that excellent personnel settle down stably."

Director Musayev said, "I am very pleased that the agreement was reached so quickly after the visit of the Gyeongnam delegation last month" and "we will continuously provide sincere and capable personnel to meet Gyeongnam's needs."

Both sides also discussed the establishment of a "Korean-style manpower training center" in Uzbekistan.

Director Musayev proposed, "We would like to conduct vocational training in a suitable location in Uzbekistan according to Korean standards."

Governor Park responded, "We will actively consider installing a separate training center at the Gyeongnam provincial level, in cooperation with the central government, or if necessary."