The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has finalized and announced the First Basic Plan for Agricultural Workforce Support, covering 2026 to 2030. This plan, established under the Special Act on Agricultural and Fishery Workforce Support enacted in February 2024, marks the first legally mandated roadmap for the sector. Unlike previous short-term measures, the new plan emphasizes stable, long-term workforce supply and comprehensive policies for worker safety and human rights. Key objectives include expanding the public sector’s share of workforce supply, achieving 100% insurance coverage for seasonal workers by 2026, and mandating wage payment guarantee insurance for employers.
In the first half of 2026, the allocation of seasonal workers will reach a record 92,104, up by 18,219 from 73,885 in November 2023. Public seasonal worker programs will expand from 90 sites (2,786 workers) in 2023 to 130 sites (4,729 workers) in 2026, with a goal of over 200 sites (6,000 workers) by 2030. The plan also includes increased support for transportation and accommodation, integration of agricultural machinery rental with labor brokerage, and pilot projects for skilled foreign labor. Efforts are underway to raise the proportion of domestic workers to over 40% and to provide tailored job information and systematic training for both new and experienced workers.
To ensure worker safety, the ministry will introduce a mobile-based agricultural safety checklist and VR-based safety training content. Employers of seasonal workers will be required to enroll in safety insurance, and wage payment guarantee insurance will become mandatory to prevent wage arrears. Penalties for human rights violations will be strengthened, including immediate restrictions on foreign labor allocation. The plan also supports the construction and renovation of public accommodations for foreign workers and the launch of a ‘workforce accommodation bank.’ Key support agencies, such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, will enhance their roles in counseling, education, and career management.
Through this plan, MAFRA aims to address both labor shortages and the protection of worker rights in the agricultural sector. Minister Song Mi-ryeong emphasized the ministry’s commitment to long-term, efficient workforce supply and robust institutional improvements for worker safety and rights. The policy is expected to further develop with a stronger public sector role, balanced use of domestic and foreign labor, and improved working conditions, ultimately enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of Korean agriculture.
This comprehensive workforce plan represents a strategic shift from short-term fixes to systemic solutions that address both labor supply and worker welfare in agriculture. The integration of digital platforms, VR training, and public sector leadership signals a move toward modernization and resilience in the sector. As Korea strengthens its agricultural workforce policies, it sets a benchmark for balancing productivity, social responsibility, and sustainability in global agricultural practices.