The survey was conducted among 310 small businesses currently employing foreign workers, as the Labor Ministry reviews potential revisions to the system amid criticism that existing rules excessively limit migrant workers’ freedom of movement. Nearly three-quarters of surveyed firms said they had already received job-change requests from foreign workers, with more than 70 percent occurring within the first year of arrival. The most frequently cited concern over easing restrictions was the risk of deepening labor shortages at small businesses, a fear expressed by more than 60 percent of respondents. “While protecting the rights of foreign workers is essential, reforms must also take into account the sustainability of small businesses and regions facing population decline,” Yang Ok-seok, head of labor policy at the federation, said. The results highlight the delicate balance policymakers face as South Korea seeks to modernize its migrant labor system while preventing unintended strain on the small firms that depend heavily on foreign workers.