The government decided Thursday to give work permits to an additional 16,300 foreign workers in the first half of this year to meet an acute shortage of labor at small workplaces.

The country has already given E-9 visas to 29,700 workers so far this year, using up all of its quota for the first half.

The E-9 visa is issued to migrant workers under the work permit system. Every year, the government sets the quota. Under the system, those with E-9 visas can work here for up to five years if they extend their visa for a further two years.

The quota for the full year of 2012 is unchanged at 57,000, up 9,000 from a year ago.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)