South Korea to hire 5,000 Filipinos

Despite being hit by the global financial crunch, South Korea is expected to employ some 5,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the next 10 months under a memorandum of understanding that was signed recently between Seoul and Manila.

On May 30, Philippine Labor Secretary Marianito Roque and his South Korean counterpart, Minister Lee Younghee, signed the memorandum on Employment Permit System, which would allow Seoul to hire more Filipino workers amid the global economic crisis.

In a statement on Monday, the South Korean Labor Ministry said Filipinos, in a labor survey, ranked first in ability to adapt to South Korean society. The survey also found that Filipinos placed second in communication skills.

Under the memorandum, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is directed to review contracts offered to Filipino workers to ensure that minimum standards set by Manila are met, including free accommodation.

The memorandum minimizes chances of pre-departure cancellation of employment contracts and pre-termination of existing ones by disqualifying employers and workers with dubious records.

Also under the memorandum, Filipino workers are expected to continue enjoying pension benefits pursuant to the National Pension Law, and will be entitled to equal treatment on minimum wage and insurance protection, for example, as South Korean workers.

Roque and Lee also signed a memorandum of understanding on Labor and Manpower Development, which will provide for the training of workers on-site. –Camille Bernice V. Bauzon, Reporter, Manila Times