A new system for the legal employment of foreign workers went into effect Tuesday.

Under the foreign laborer work permit system, small- and medium-sized business firms having difficulties hiring local workers can hire foreign workers for up to three years after obtaining permission from the government.

The new foreign workers' permit system is replacing the previous industrial trainee system, which was widely blamed for an increase in illegal foreign workers in the country.

Business firms to benefit from the new system include manufacturing companies with less than 300 employees, agricultural and dairy firms, and constructors undertaking projects worth more than 30 billion won.

Under the system, South Korean firms will be allowed to hire workers from the Philippines, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.