The Foreign Workforce Policy Committee under the Ministry of Employment and Labor on July 19 decided to expand a pilot project to allow foreign staff to work at all restaurant businesses nationwide. Shown is a street stall on July 12 in Seoul's popular shopping neighborhood of Myeong-dong preparing food. (Yonhap News)

By Xu Aiying

Foreign nationals with the E-9 visa for non-professional staff who apply for an employment permit from next month can work at any restaurant business nationwide. 

The Foreign Workforce Policy Committee under the Ministry of Employment and Labor in a meeting on July 19 approved the easing of restrictions for a pilot project to allow foreign labor in the restaurant sector nationwide.

The range of restaurants where such labor is allowed was expanded from those of Korean cuisine to foreign ones like Chinese, Japanese and Western, plus the 100-region limit was lifted. The rule was that such a business with under five workers required over seven years of experience, but one can now apply to get foreign workers if it has over five years of experience.

The new rules, however, exclude franchises such as those of hamburgers or pizza (as well as simple foods) that are considered to require relatively less assistance in the kitchen.

Other approved measures included tighter employment management for foreign staff at restaurants so that such workers can stably settle in and work there.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and related associations, training for restaurant owners will seek to prevent illegal stays, industrial accidents and non-payment of wages.

The committee also decided to boost safety and health training for workers in the sector by conducting checks and improving employment conditions at restaurants by supporting lodging placement for foreign staff and periodically monitoring their living conditions.

These revisions will be applied from Aug. 5-16 in this year's third round of applications for the E-9 visa.

xuaiy@korea.kr