Reports of workplace harassment against migrant workers in South Korea have surged in recent years, raising concerns about the treatment of foreign labourers and gaps in legal protections. Official data shows cases have more than tripled since 2020, but rights advocates say the real number of victims is likely far higher.
According to the Ministry of Labour, reported cases of bullying and harassment of migrant workers rose from 65 in 2020 to 225 in 2024. By May 2025 alone, another 112 cases had already been filed, suggesting that this year could see the highest tally yet. Lawmakers have warned that these figures only scratch the surface, as many workers remain silent out of fear of retaliation or job loss.
Public anger grew last month after a disturbing video showed a Sri Lankan worker at a brick factory in Naju being bound with plastic wrap and lifted by a forklift. Authorities ruled the act as workplace harassment and fined the employer 3 million won (about $2,200). President Lee Jae Myung denounced the incident as “unacceptable violence” and vowed stronger protections for migrant workers.
In response, South Korean police have launched a nationwide 100-day crackdown on abuse and violence in workplaces that employ foreign nationals. Yet, activists argue that enforcement remains weak and that many cases never reach official records because complaints are often handled internally by employers. This is especially common in small businesses with fewer than five workers, where migrant labour is concentrated and the law offers little protection.
The Workplace Anti-Bullying Act, introduced in 2019, requires employers to investigate complaints and protect victims. However, if an employer takes basic measures, cases can be closed as “no violation.” The law also excludes workplaces with fewer than five employees and those employing workers under special contracts, leaving many migrants without legal recourse.
Between 2020 and May 2025, the Labour Ministry recorded more than 820 harassment complaints from migrant workers. Yet, only a fraction resulted in fines, corrective orders, or criminal referrals. Nearly 400 cases were dismissed or closed, while hundreds more were marked under “other” categories, often because the workplaces were too small to fall under the law.
Migrant worker advocates stress that the legal loopholes allow abuse to persist. “About 70 percent of migrant workers in South Korea are employed at workplaces with fewer than 30 people, many of them under five,” said Jung Young-seop of Migrant Workers Solidarity for Equality. “When workers try to transfer after facing abuse, some employers retaliate by withholding work. That means no wages and even harsher treatment.”
The government is now pledging reforms. Officials plan to revise the E-9 employment visa system, allowing migrant workers more flexibility to change jobs and extend their stay in three-year terms. Currently, most foreign labourers are bound to their employers and can only transfer jobs under limited circumstances, such as unpaid wages or physical abuse.
Some observers believe these reforms could reduce exploitation, but others worry they will not go far enough without stronger enforcement and broader legal protections. For now, migrant workers remain among the most vulnerable groups in South Korea’s workforce.