Seoul: The government has announced a new initiative to provide free mental health counseling services for construction workers who are experiencing depression due to economic hardships. This move comes in response to a prolonged downturn in the construction sector, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Office for Government Policy Coordination revealed that the program will commence next week. It is a collaborative effort involving the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association and the Mapo Ward office in Seoul. The counseling services will be accessible twice a week, specifically on Mondays and Thursdays during the second and fourth weeks of each month. Sessions will be held at the construction workers' shelter located in Mapo.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination highlighted the severe impact of the Middle East conflict on the construction industry. Many workers are struggling economically as job opportunities in the sector diminish due to the increased burden of rising raw material costs. The initiative aims to address the mental health crisis among construction workers by preventing suicides through a coordinated effort with Mapo Ward and the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association.