diff --git a/.github/workflows/issues-cron.yml b/.github/workflows/issues-cron.yml
index 89ab4bc..c528887 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/issues-cron.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/issues-cron.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,31 @@ concurrency:
   group: lock
 
 jobs:
+
+  label:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Add stale exempt labels to the repository
+        run: |
+          # awaiting-approval
+          if curl -H "Authorization: token ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" https://api.github.com/repos/${{ github.repository }}/labels/awaiting-approval | grep -q 'awaiting-approval'; then
+            curl -H "Authorization: token ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" -X POST https://api.github.com/repos/${{ github.repository }}/labels/awaiting-approval \
+              -d '{"description":"Stale exempt"}'
+          else
+            curl -H "Authorization: token ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" -X POST https://api.github.com/repos/${{ github.repository }}/labels \
+            -d '{"name":"awaiting-approval","description":"Stale exempt"}'
+          fi
+
+          # work-in-progress
+          if curl -H "Authorization: token ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" https://api.github.com/repos/${{ github.repository }}/labels/work-in-progress | grep -q 'work-in-progress'; then
+            curl -H "Authorization: token ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" -X POST https://api.github.com/repos/${{ github.repository }}/labels/work-in-progress \
+              -d '{"description":"Stale exempt"}'
+          else
+            curl -H "Authorization: token ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" -X POST https://api.github.com/repos/${{ github.repository }}/labels \
+            -d '{"name":"work-in-progress","description":"Stale exempt"}'
+          fi
+
   stale:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest