DMW STOPS WORKERS DEPLOYMENT IN SOUTH KOREA AMID ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT

DMW has suspended the recruitment of Filipinos to seasonal farm jobs in South Korea in at least seven LGUs due to illegal recruitment (Photo courtesy of Yonhap/The Korea Times)

Deployment of seasonal workers to South Korea through local government units (LGUs) has been temporary suspended following reports of illegal recruitment activities, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

“The processing of workers from seven LGUs have been put on hold for various reasons, mainly because we have found cases of illegal recruitment in these LGUs.”

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the decision is part of an ongoing effort to curb unlawful practices in the recruitment process. He also confirmed that the department had identified cases of illegal recruitment in these LGUs.

“We are also being very strict about compliance with protective mechanisms regarding the safety and well-being of the seasonal workers. And for that reason, the processing of workers from seven LGUs has been put on hold for various reasons,” Cacdac said.

DMW is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal recruitment, with 37 cases currently filed involving 118 complainants. “We know that two of them, one in Pasay and one in Davao are ongoing. However, one in Tarlac has been dismissed due to an out-of-court settlement by the complainants,” he said.

“We’re working closely with this as we’re not happy with this out-of-court settlement and we are still finding ways in which if there are other cases involving the same respondent, then we will continue to seek the prosecution,” he added.

South Korea’s seasonal worker program (SWP) allows hiring of foreign workers to address labor shortages in the country. Since 2022, many Filipinos have become a part of the program with the hopes of earning more.

Approximately 6,100 seasonal workers have been legally deployed from across 58 participating LGUs, these workers have been processed with contracts that guarantee employment terms. 4,112 have been monitored to be still on site working, and 1,648 have finished their contracts, and 399 are with unfinished contracts according to Cacdac.

DMW emphasized that the protection of migrant workers remains a top priority and that further measures will be taken to ensure their safety and well-being in line with legal recruitment practices.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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