The government has decided to establish measures to attract new workforce, including youth, women, and early retirees, to solve the aging workforce issue in the construction industry. Additionally, it has determined that one of the fundamental causes of labor shortages in the construction sector is the negative perception of the industry, and it will devise ways to improve this.
On the 27th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor held the first employment policy deliberation meeting of 2025 and adopted the '5th Basic Plan for Improving Employment of Construction Workers' containing these details.
The basic plan adopted that day is a long-term project that the government will pursue from this year until 2029. The government has been establishing and implementing basic employment improvement plans every five years for the construction industry, which has a significant effect on job creation and production inducement.
The main tasks the government will pursue this year in relation to the construction industry are ▲attracting new workforce and growth support ▲strengthening the training system for skilled workers ▲ensuring basic working conditions ▲systematic management of foreign workers.
First, regarding the influx of new workforce, the Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to provide customized employment information aimed at youth, women, and middle-aged individuals. Currently, more than half of the employees in the construction industry, 55.2%, are over 50 years old, making it necessary to inject new talent due to the aging workforce. The proportion of employees over 50 in the construction sector is 15.5 percentage points higher than in manufacturing.
To this end, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will collaborate with vocational high schools and independent support organizations to identify youths aspiring to work in the construction industry. Additionally, plans are in place to seek candidates in the construction sector among middle-aged women or marriage immigrants through New Job Centers and Multicultural Family Support Centers. Vocational and training information will also be provided to middle-aged individuals who have retired early from office jobs.
To increase the number of skilled workers, the 'Skill Rating System' will be formally introduced. Through a rating system consisting of intermediate, advanced, and special grades, leniencies will be granted to construction companies that hire such workers, or additional points will be given when evaluating construction capabilities. This year, a pilot project will be conducted in which individuals with advanced or higher grades will be designated as essential personnel for public works.
Measures will also be formulated to prevent frequent wage arrears in the construction industry. Wage arrears are considered a chronic issue in the construction sector, characterized by a multi-tier subcontracting structure. In response, the government will promote an electronic payment system for private construction projects, wherein project costs collected from the primary contractor will be set aside to pay workers.
In addition, the government will strengthen the management of foreign workers. The vacancies in the construction industry, which are often avoided by youth and women, are being filled by foreign laborers. The government plans to expand pre- and post-arrival safety training for foreign workers legally entering the country and provide translation support to alleviate language barriers.
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo said, 'It is when everyone takes an interest in and cooperates on vulnerable sectors like youth and the construction industry that we can pool wisdom,' and he noted, 'I will actively work to ensure that today's discussions lead to tangible employment improvements.'