Nearly half of foreign workers in S. Korea work in mining, manufacturing

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Seoul, March 18 (IANS) Almost half of migrant workers in South Korea were employed in the mining and manufacturing industries last year, data showed on Tuesday.

Of the 1.56 million foreign residents here, 64.7 percent had jobs last year, while 31.4 percent were economically inactive and 3.9 percent were unemployed, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

Among the employed, 45.6 percent worked in the mining and manufacturing industries, while 18.9 percent worked in the wholesale, retail and restaurant businesses, reports Yonhap news agency.

Some 14 percent worked for private businesses or in the public service sector, 10.6 percent were in construction, and 8.3 percent were in the agriculture and fisheries businesses.

More than 51 percent of foreign workers received a monthly average wage of between 2 million won (US$1,382) and 3 million won, while 37.1 percent earned over 3 million won.

By visa type, 19.4 percent of the foreign residents were here with non-professional employment visas and 12.8 percent were on student visas. Some 9 percent were permanent residents, and 7.8 percent were married to Korean citizens.

Data also showed the average happiness level of the foreign residents was 4.3 points on a five-point scale.

About 17.4 percent of foreigners said they experienced discrimination in South Korea, with 27.7 percent of foreign students reporting such an experience.

Meanwhile, the government will help depopulation regions attract more foreign workers by expanding the eligibility for region-specific visas and easing their issuance requirements, the Ministry of Justice said.

The region-specific visas are currently restricted to 89 depopulation areas nationwide but the ministry will expand the number of eligible areas to 107 by including 18 areas in danger of depopulation.

The government will also create a region-specific skilled worker (E-7-4R) visa with a relaxed stay period and requirements, the ministry said.

The ministry said it plans to allow foreigners who stay in the country for more than two years with a non-professional employment (E-9) visa or a maritime crew (E-10) visa to convert to the E-7-4R visa if they meet the qualification requirements in areas such as skills.

–IANS

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FIR against 25 supporters of Pappu Yadav for creating ruckus

Patna, Jan 13 (IANS) Patna Police registered an FIR against 25 unidentified individuals — said to be supporters of Purnea MP Pappu Yadav — for creating a ruckus and damaging a vehicle during the ‘Bihar Bandh’ on Sunday.

Pappu Yadav’s supporters vandalised a vehicle, damaging the windscreen of a truck, and manhandled its driver.

The FIR was lodged at Pirbahore police station. The SHO of the Pirbahore police station confirmed that an FIR was lodged based on a complaint by the vehicle owner.

“We have lodged an FIR against 25 unidentified individuals who are supporters of Pappu Yadav. We are also identifying others on the basis of video and CCTV footage,” the SHO said.

Protesters disrupted traffic in areas such as Ashok Rajpath, Dak Bungalow Crossing, and near Patna Science College, burning tyres and blocking roads to enforce the bandh.

They also forced traders to shut their shops. The protestors were booked under relevant sections of obstructing road traffic, damaging property, and disrupting public order by organising an unauthorised procession.

The SHO said that Pappu Yadav was not present at the time of the incident.

Supporters of Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, staged protests across Patna on Sunday, as part of a state-wide ‘Bihar Bandh’.

The ‘Bihar Bandh’ called by Yadav on Sunday witnessed widespread disruption and unruly behaviour by his supporters in Patna.

The bandh was organised in solidarity with Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) candidates protesting alleged irregularities in the commission’s December 13, 2024 examination at a Patna centre.

About 150 individuals took out an unauthorised procession from Ashok Rajpath to Dak Bungalow Chowk via Kargil Chowk.

The procession led to significant traffic disruptions and public inconvenience. Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh has said to take strict action against the protestors.

Ongoing investigations aim to identify the remaining individuals involved in the incidents through surveillance footage.

He stated that the situation was under control and that vehicular movement had been restored in most areas.

–IANS

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Prayagraj woman inspires many with ‘Shakti Rasoi’ scheme despite adverse circumstances

Prayagraj, March 8 (IANS) Aarushi from Prayagraj has become a symbol of strength, resilience, and empowerment, turning her personal tragedy into an inspiring journey for many women. On International Women’s Day, her story resonates with courage, as she not only nurtures her family in the face of adversity but also runs a successful rasoi, under the ‘Shakti Rasoi’ scheme, alongside other women, defying the odds in a male-dominated society.

In 2020, Aarushi’s life was turned upside down when her husband passed away unexpectedly. A woman’s world often feels like it’s falling apart when she loses the person who was her pillar of support, and for Aarushi, the emotional and financial burden was overwhelming.

“When my husband passed away, it felt like the ground had slipped from under my feet. Only a woman can truly understand that feeling when she’s left to shoulder the family’s responsibilities alone. The weight of societal pressures, judgement, and uncertainty about the future can be crushing,” Aarushi told IANS.

Despite these challenges, Aarushi’s determination did not falter. Her daughter was studying in a prestigious school, and Aarushi was determined to ensure that she wouldn’t have to give up her education due to financial struggles.

“I reached a point where I thought I wouldn’t be able to afford my daughter’s schooling, and that was the darkest moment for me. But then I discovered the ‘Shakti Rasoi’ initiative,” she added.

Through the Shakti Rasoi initiative, Aarushi not only found a lifeline but also a platform to build a new future. This initiative, part of the government’s Self Help Group (SHG) scheme, offers financial assistance and a platform for women to establish small businesses. Aarushi leveraged this opportunity to open her own Shakti Rasoi, transforming her life and the lives of many others.

“If it weren’t for this government platform, I would have completely failed. This is a huge blessing for women like me, who face personal tragedies. The government’s support is what has allowed me to stand on my feet again,” she told IANS.

Aarushi’s business success has since become a beacon of hope. Not only has she turned her life around, but she is also helping other women gain financial independence and confidence.

“The situation has changed drastically. There was a time when I struggled with my basic needs and faced social stigma. Today, I’m running a successful business, and many women from my Self Help Group are working alongside me. We have achieved so much together in just a few years,” she stated.

Aarushi is not alone in her journey. Riya, another member of the Shakti Rasoi team, shared her own story of struggle and triumph.

“I was in a difficult situation, where my husband refused to give me money, and I couldn’t afford to educate my children. Coming to Shakti Rasoi has changed everything. With the support of the government’s schemes, I’m now able to educate my children and fulfil their dreams,” Riya added.

Both women credited the government’s initiatives under PM Modi’s leadership for transforming their lives.

–IANS

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Clause-by-clause discussion to be held in Waqf JPC meeting, says Jagdambika Pal

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill is set to convene on Monday at 11 a.m. to carry out a clause-by-clause discussion of the proposed legislation.

The meeting comes with both the ruling party and opposition members proposing 444 amendments to the 44 clauses of the Bill, signalling a heated debate ahead.

JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal, speaking to IANS, stated, “In the Waqf Board meeting, the clause-by-clause amendments made by the government will be discussed. The discussion will be completed today.”

Highlighting the extensive consultations, he added, “The JPC has engaged with all stakeholders and states over the past six months. Now, the proposed amendments in the Bill by the parliamentarians will be discussed, whether in favour or against.”

Pal emphasised that if a consensus is not reached, the committee will resort to voting.

“We will come to a conclusion, and the clause will be cleared,” he assured, further stating that the JPC report would be submitted on time without delays, taking into account all stakeholder objections.

Key points of contention in the Waqf Bill include the structure of the Waqf Board and provisions for specific sects, such as the Aga Khanis and Shias.

Opposition members have strongly opposed the proposal for separate Waqf boards for these groups, creating significant discord within the committee.

The meeting is expected to be contentious, particularly after Friday’s session witnessed the suspension of 10 opposition MPs for a day. These members accused Pal of being biased in his conduct during the meeting.

Among those suspended were TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, Nasir Hussain and Md Jawed of Congress, DMK’s A Raja and M Abdullah, and AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi.

With tensions running high, the meeting could see riotous scenes as the JPC works against a deadline to submit its report by the end of the upcoming budget session.

–IANS

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