Anyeong haseyo!
I am an EPS worker and a member of MTU. We are here, not only to call attention to the migrant societies needs, but to build solidarity amongst all the workers here in Korea and Korean society in general.
We are all aware of the economic crisis that has befallen most all nation. Irregardless of financial and economic stature. Truly, everyone is having hard time. Not only migrants, but everyone.
On that note I would also like to give a glimpse of the current situation of migrant workers to the present government as well as to our employers.
Korean workers as we know, are now making sacrifices for their employers due to economic situation that Korea is facing as of this time. For migrant workers this is nothing new. We, migrant workers, more often than not bears the brunt of all these cost cutting measures. It is relatively easy for employers to reduce our wages without our consent, despite of the fact that by law, migrant workers are also entitled to the minimum wage. Supposedly, there should be no discrimination on the basis of age, gender or NATIONALITY but more often than not, it does not hold true..
Violations against workers rights are more prevalent now since the presenct government is planning to revise the minimum wage law. Quite a number of of employers are reducing the minimum wage for foreignr\ers, deducting exhorbitant fees for the housing and food provisions, being given fixed wages inspite of extra overtime work or night work.
And still, in some companies, when they downgrade, the foreigners are almost always, the first ones to go. In Suwon, 5 Filipina women arrived in Korea last November 2008. They have been in Korea for a week and they had not been able to work in the company that employed them, not even for a day, not even for an hour.
Imagine being in a strange land, speaking all but a few words. Displaced with no where to go, not knowing who to ask for help, or who to talk to, having very little money to get them through the day, no family or friends to turn to, being a long, long way from home.
During that time we were all jobless, we were all looking for work at the Goyongjiwon center(labor office) in Suwon. The few of us who had a little money gave as much as we can so these women can buy food that would last them for a few days and as we handed them the money we can feel their pain and fear as we see the tears in their eyes.
These are the harsh realities that migrant workers are facing all the time. We are not only faced by the problems we have here, we are also faced with the problem of providing for our families back home, and the debts we incurred just so as we can hope that in Korea we will be given a chance to a better life.
At the current rate, the 2 month restriction for a migrant worker to find work in Korea is not enough. In effect, quite a number of EPS workers are sure to become or have become undocumented and are now facing the risk of deportation.
We, the migrantworkers, have always been willing to work hand in hand with the Korean society to build a stronger and more progressive Korea. We have always been willing and sacrificing...
But we appeal to government and our employers.
NOT at the expense of the RIGHTS we are entitled to!
WE WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS!!
I am an EPS worker and a member of MTU. We are here, not only to call attention to the migrant societies needs, but to build solidarity amongst all the workers here in Korea and Korean society in general.
We are all aware of the economic crisis that has befallen most all nation. Irregardless of financial and economic stature. Truly, everyone is having hard time. Not only migrants, but everyone.
On that note I would also like to give a glimpse of the current situation of migrant workers to the present government as well as to our employers.
Korean workers as we know, are now making sacrifices for their employers due to economic situation that Korea is facing as of this time. For migrant workers this is nothing new. We, migrant workers, more often than not bears the brunt of all these cost cutting measures. It is relatively easy for employers to reduce our wages without our consent, despite of the fact that by law, migrant workers are also entitled to the minimum wage. Supposedly, there should be no discrimination on the basis of age, gender or NATIONALITY but more often than not, it does not hold true..
Violations against workers rights are more prevalent now since the presenct government is planning to revise the minimum wage law. Quite a number of of employers are reducing the minimum wage for foreignr\ers, deducting exhorbitant fees for the housing and food provisions, being given fixed wages inspite of extra overtime work or night work.
And still, in some companies, when they downgrade, the foreigners are almost always, the first ones to go. In Suwon, 5 Filipina women arrived in Korea last November 2008. They have been in Korea for a week and they had not been able to work in the company that employed them, not even for a day, not even for an hour.
Imagine being in a strange land, speaking all but a few words. Displaced with no where to go, not knowing who to ask for help, or who to talk to, having very little money to get them through the day, no family or friends to turn to, being a long, long way from home.
During that time we were all jobless, we were all looking for work at the Goyongjiwon center(labor office) in Suwon. The few of us who had a little money gave as much as we can so these women can buy food that would last them for a few days and as we handed them the money we can feel their pain and fear as we see the tears in their eyes.
These are the harsh realities that migrant workers are facing all the time. We are not only faced by the problems we have here, we are also faced with the problem of providing for our families back home, and the debts we incurred just so as we can hope that in Korea we will be given a chance to a better life.
At the current rate, the 2 month restriction for a migrant worker to find work in Korea is not enough. In effect, quite a number of EPS workers are sure to become or have become undocumented and are now facing the risk of deportation.
We, the migrantworkers, have always been willing to work hand in hand with the Korean society to build a stronger and more progressive Korea. We have always been willing and sacrificing...
But we appeal to government and our employers.
NOT at the expense of the RIGHTS we are entitled to!
WE WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS!!
