BUSAN, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) (KRX: 097230) hosted the Philippine Ambassador to South Korea at their Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan. This visit, the first by a Philippine ambassador to a shipyard employing Filipino workers, celebrated the recent hiring of Filipino welders and aimed to strengthen ties between the two countries.
On August 28, the global shipbuilder welcomed Ambassador Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega and embassy officials with a tour of the shipyard and a special event to honor and motivate the Filipino workers.
Last year, the multinational shipbuilding company made a significant move by hiring over 200 Filipino welders, becoming the first in the industry to do so. This achievement was made possible by the expanded E-7 visa policy, introduced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Justice, and the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association. The E-7 visa covers various shipbuilding roles, including welders, ship painters, and electricians.
The South Korean shipbuilder specifically recruited foreign welders with proven skills and experience, focusing on those who had worked as skilled workers at their Subic Shipyard in the Philippines. The Filipino welders have been praised for their exceptional skills, dedication, and adaptability to the local work culture. This move has been lauded by the industry for not only addressing labor shortages but also for effectively securing highly skilled workers.
The leading shipbuilding company not only hired these workers as full-time employees to build their loyalty and sense of belonging but also went above and beyond to support their transition. They provided housing, enhanced living conditions, and offered medical services. As a result, most of the 200 workers have stayed with the company and continued to work diligently. HJSC’s successful integration of Filipino welders serves as a prime example of the benefits of the government's expanded E-7 visa policy.
During her visit to the Yeongdo Shipyard, the Philippine Ambassador encouraged her country's workers working in the yard and met with HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol to thank the company for hiring about 200 Filipino welders, the largest number in the shipbuilding industry. She commended HJSC for creating a supportive and attractive work environment and expressed hope that the Filipino workers' job satisfaction and motivation would foster even greater synergy for the company.
The CEO of the multinational shipbuilder commented, “The arrival of skilled Filipino workers has not only helped us overcome labor shortages but has also revitalized our manufacturing processes.” He added, “We appreciate the Philippine government for providing such excellent personnel and look forward to even greater development and collaboration between our two countries.”
