Baldoz welcomes S.Korea law on foreign workers

MANILA, Philippines – Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Tuesday welcomed South Korea’s new law, which makes it easier for companies to re-hire foreign workers, saying this would benefit Filipino workers.

Last February 1, the South Korean Parliament adopted Act No. 11276 (Revision on the Act on Employment of Foreign Workers), which is aimed at helping Korean companies retain skilled workers, while preventing those with expired visas from staying illegally. The law will take effect on July 2.

In a statement, Baldoz said one of the highlights of the new law is the reduction of the waiting period for foreign workers who want to return to Korea after completing their contracts from 6 months to 3 months.

“Another highlight of the new law is the exemption of foreign workers from taking the Korean language test and employment training, provided certain criteria are met by the worker,” said Baldoz.

However, the law would only cover returning workers who had no recorded transfer during the entire employment period except for justifiable cause. It also covers workers in a sector which still has a labor shortage.

Implemented in 2004, the EPS regulates the deployment of foreign workers to South Korea. Under the system, OFWs who work in small and medium enterprises in Korea would have to pass the Korean langauge test. Once they arrive in Korea, they receive post-arrival education and medical examination.

The latest data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed special hiring for Korea under the EPS rose by 66% to 3,147 in 2011 from 1,897 in 2010. –ABS-CBNnews.com