Research Reports

It is necessary to make a labor supply plan that reflects the characteristics of the construction industry which produces on orders and the labor market situation as aging issue of construction workers in Korea. Based on the database of the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association (CWMA) in Korea, the total number of foreign workers is estimated to be about 194 thousand foreigners account for 12.4% of all construction workers. By occupation, the proportion of foreigners is continuously increasing in construction industry of Korea. And the entry of young foreign construction workers is increasing relative to that of Koreans. The demand for construction workers in the period 2022-2024 estimates 1.552 million. The supply for the number of Koreans estimates 1.382 million, and the number of foreigners estimates about 190 thousand. Thus it is necessary to reflect foreign workers who is legally employed of the construction industry complementarily in the labor supply system due to lack of market (excess labor demand). The policy authorities need to prioritize strategic priorities in order to continuously foster Korean construction workers. Furthermore, it is necessary to actively cooperate with the public- and private agencies in preparation of the financial resources for establishing the education and training system of construction industry in Korea. The deregulation of foreign construction worker and industrial policy support for education and training can ultimately contribute to improving the quality competitiveness of the domestic construction industry and promoting the sustainable development of the construction industry.