70,000 foreign unemployed, the highest in history … The impact of the collapse of the construction and manufacturing industry due to the crown

Check-in 2020.12.21 12:00

This year, the number of unemployed foreigners increased by 38.3% compared to the previous year. Due to the economic recession and social distancing caused by the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), the construction industry, where many foreigners work, and the mining and manufacturing industries, are slow. Additionally, the number of foreigners who came to visit work visas also decreased by 25.9%.

According to the ‘Results of the 2020 Immigration and Employment Situation Survey’ of the National Statistical Office on the 21st, the number of unemployed foreigners in May this year increased by 19,000 (38.2%) to 70,000. This is the highest since the statistics related to 2012. The unemployment rate was 7.6%, 2.1 percentage points (P) higher than the previous year. On the other hand, the number of foreign workers employed during the same period was 848,000, 15,000 (1.8%) less than a year ago.

The number of foreigners employed by industry increased over the previous year in agriculture, forestry and fishing (5,000 people, 9.2%), electricity, transport, communications and finance (5,000 people, 37.1%). However, it decreased in the mining and manufacturing industries (20,000, -5.0%) and construction (-10,000, -10.0%).

The reason for the decrease in the number of employed people is that the number of foreigners who have received work visit visas due to Corona 19 is decreasing, and that the construction industry and the mining and manufacturing industries, which use many workers foreigners, they are not good.

In general, work visit visas are received mainly by Korean-Chinese, and most are captured directly by the economically active and employed population. However, this year, the number of foreigners who visited Korea to visit labor status decreased by 41,000 (25.9%). This is the effect of the reduced influx due to Corona 19.

By salary level, the survey ranged from 2 million to 3 million won (51.1%), 1 million to 2 million won (27.8%), 3 million won or more (16.4%), and less. of 1 million won (4.8%). The job search period was less than 3 months (34.4%), from 3 months to less than 6 months (33.6%), from 6 months to less than 1 year (1.1%) and more than 1 year (0.4%).

The total number of resident foreigners increased by 9,000 (0.7%) to 1,332,000. The number of economically active people aged 15 and over was 917,000, an increase of 4,000 (0.4%) over the previous year. However, the participation rate in economic activity decreased by 0.2% p compared to the previous year by 68.9%.

The inactive population was 414,000, an increase of 5,000 (1.3%) over the previous year. By activity condition, it increased in rest (16,000 people, 19.8%) and childcare and cleaning (8,000 people, 5.5%) than in 2019. On the other hand, it decreased in preparation for admission to school and employment (-6,000, -25.9%) and others (-14,000, -19.7%).

By nationality, Asian Korean-Chinese were the highest at 490,000. It was followed by Other Asian countries (410,000), China (172,000) and non-Asian countries (13 1,200). By state of residence ▲ Non-professional employment (E-9) 2,52100 people ▲ Employment visit (H-2) 160,000 people ▲ Professional workforce (E-1 ~ E-7) 39,800 people ▲ International students 137,000 ▲ Koreans abroad There were 330,000, 500,000 ▲ 114,800 permanent residents ▲ 125,500 married immigrants ▲ and 170,000 others.

Chung Dong-wook, Head of the Bureau of Statistics Employment Statistics Division, said: “In terms of industry, the fields where foreign workers work the most are manufacturing, accommodation, construction, etc., which they represent about 68% of the total. ” Last May, due to economic lockdowns such as social distancing, the number of foreign employees as a result decreased by 19,000. The impact of the decrease in the number of unemployed in Korea due to Corona 19 is spreading to foreign workers. “