The Philippine Embassy in South Korea, in coordination with the Korean Labor Education Institute (KLEI), held a two-day trainers’ training in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea from April 13 and 20.
Philippine Overseas Labor Office Labor Attache Delmer Cruz welcomed 75 participants, leaders and representatives from 25 organizations in various sectors.
“It is very important to empower the migrant workers to know their labor rights, privileges, benefits, as well as their duties and responsibilities. In doing so, they can come up with the right decisions,” Attaché Cruz said.
KLEI President Dr. Sun Hang Sung said they used to have problems on labor and expressed appreciation for OFWs as consistent labor partners of South Korea, “We’re happy for you who do the work. You are a big help to the Korean economy and we need to take care of you. We have to conduct this seminar for you to be safe as you enjoy your stay here in South Korea.”
Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis Cruz thanked KLEI for the accommodation, facilities, knowledge-sharing and opening their hearts to migrant workers. Statistics show that among a total of 1.75 billion people in labor migration, 600,000 are in South Korea.
“We hope that you’ll pursue what you’ve learned although you need ample time to study these laws. Most importantly, the truth will make you free and this knowledge provide opportunities to assert your rights. You have a great obligation as foreign workers to South Korea and the same with your fellow OFWs. Be proud as you show the world who Filipino workers are,” Ambassador Cruz told the OFWS.
Resource Speakers
Yi Ran Joo from Solidarity for Asian Human Rights and Culture spoke on Understanding Labor Migration. When he asked the participants why they were working abroad, one said, “We opted to work abroad instead of working in our own country due to high unemployment rate and most especially the salary is not enough to overcome our poverty.”
Resource Speaker Lee Gong Hee from the Korean Labor Education Institute, who is also a professor of Dankook University, explained some labor laws from his book, “Easy Korean Labor Law.” He focused on computation of wages and other related labor laws that affect migrant workers.
The Employment Permit System (EPS) workers were represented by the Filipino EPS Association (FEWA) led by its new president Sofonias Paragsa. “We must be accurate in our counseling about labor laws to our fellow EPS workers and this training is a big help for the EPS workers,” Paragsa commented.
Yim Young hoon of the Korea Occupational Safety and Heath Agency (KOSHA) introduced the agency and lectured on Occupational Safety and Health Act that gives protection to the safety and health of the workers.
According to studies, 3,950 injured cases of immigrant workers recorded in 2007 increased from 3,406 in 2006. 76% of all occupational injuries and illness occurred in small-sized enterprises (less than 50 workers) and newly recruited workers suffered 60% of these injuries. Five major types of accidents were crushing, slipping or tripping, falling, and the impact of flying objects.
He also discussed health-related issues like the prohibition of asbestos by 2009, job stress as an emerging issue and worker protection by Article 5 of the OSH Act which obliges employers to take new measures for the prevention of stress-related health problems. In July this year, South Korea will adopt the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to classify and label chemicals, which usually harm the health of the workers.
KOSHA distributed 78,500 copies of books on Safety Guidelines for foreign workers to both employers and workers. Yim also invited the participants to attend the 18th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work – A Global Forum for Prevention on June 29-July 2 at Coex Convention Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Yoo Sung gyu from the Association for Migrants Worker’s Human Rights gave a brief history of the Employment Permit System (EPS) and discussed the different insurances of the workers as their benefits during and after employment contract, such as the Departure Guarantee Insurance, Return-Cost Insurance, National Health Insurance and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance.
Another issue raised was the National Health Insurance for undocumented migrant workers who are not covered by its program.
Lee Kyung-sook of the Joint Committee for Migrant Workers in Korea (JCMK), who served as the interpreter between the Filipino participants and Korean resource speakers, announced that www.mumk.org is the website of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for medical insurance and benefits of undocumented migrant workers.
The participants received their certificates of attendance and are expected to disseminate the information on Korean labor and immigration laws to all OFWs as the Philippine Embassy and KLEI provide continuous training to newly-hired workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS).
