필리핀

EPS

(

외국인

고용허가제

)

근로자

협회

공식

발행

–

대

한민국

The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes

The Official Publication of Filipino EPS Workers Association-South Korea (FEWA)

Volume 2 Issue 10 2010 www.sulyapinoy.org NOT FOR SALE

필리핀

EPS

외국인

고용허가제

근로자

협회

공식

발행

–

대

한민국

OFW-KOREA-200

-001

By Don Nacario Oco

People and God-centered AssociationPhoto by Marzy Sedena

ormer President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR), leda

-man combat platoon against theChinese forces in Cherwon, Gangwon province,during the Korean War in 1952. He wants thepresent generation to be aware on the contri-

butions of the Philippines to South Korea’s war

as the starting-

point of the two countries’

strong friendship.

“

I fought here as a Lieutenant during theKorean War as part of the Philippine Expedi-tionary Force to Korea.

This year, as we com-memorate the

0th anniversary of the Ko-rean War, I once again

oin our brother Ko-rean War veterans in remembering and pay-ing tribute to the sacrifices of our soldiers,

”

Ramos stated in his remarks at a meetingwith the Filipino Community in the PhilippineEmbassy in Seoul last September. FVR ar-rived in South Korea leading a 30-man Fili-pino veterans delegation of the Korean War.He was personally invited

n its effort to enrich andstrengthen the rights of Filipino migrant workers,FEWA, through its Educa-tion Committee conducted aworkshop- seminar on Sal-ary and Wages Computa-tion last October 2

, 2010at the Philippine Center,Hyewadong.It was attended by its offi-cers, members, volunteers,and some EPS work-ers. It was also graced by

one of FEWA’s advisers

Prof. Noy Amante. The saidseminar also aimed to e

uipits officers the necessaryknowledge and informa-tion of fre

uently asked

uestions in order to serveour

kababayan

better.Sulyapinoy Editor-in-Chief, Pete Rahon startedthe seminar by giving anoverview of the EPS andthrew some

uestions tothe participants about their

ourney to Korea. Oneparticipant likened EPS to aboyfriend that is expensivebecause of regularly send-ing money back home.They also corrected thattheir

ob is not only 3D butnow it is a 5D: dirty, diffi-cult, dangerous, delayedsalary and deadly.Regina Ar

uiza the , Chair-woman of the EducationCommittee and FEWA President, Mr. Marzy Ser-dena III, talked aboutbenefits and holidays andcomputation of toe

igeumrespectively. Sulyapinoy board of publication Chairman, Mr. Don-dave

abay, explained the detailedcomputation of salary and wagesusing a programmed formula in anexcel format and demonstratedthrough

mano-mano

computa-tion. Likewise, he also shared aboutcomputations for the other benefits thatshould be en

oyed by EPS workers andits applicable tax. A

uestion and an-swer session followed after the input.

onathan Eli Libut

by Pres. Myung-bak to commemorate theanniversary.Ramos also visited the Catholic University of Korea and was awarded with an honorarydegree of Ph.D. in Public Administration. Atthe same time, a collo

uium was organizedby the university, titled

“

The SignificantContributions of the Filipino Soldiers in theKorean War,

”

wherein Ramos gave aspeech to more than a hundred students.Meeting with the Filipino Community,Ramos discussed the support of the remit-tances providing to the Philippine economywhich form a substantial part of the coun-

try’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), in

maintaining the dollar reserves intact, andin boosting consumer confidence.(continued on page

…

)

SULYAPINOY is accepting cash donations for its monthly printing expenses. You may deposit them

Account

: 1002

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730 / Acnt Name: Marcelino M. / Ba

Photo by Levi Aragon

OCTOBER 2010

Multiculturalism and the Migrant Workers

What used to be a homogenous society of pure blood and single ethnicity, known as

min

ideals, is being challenged by a trendtowards multiculturalism due to the increasenumber of foreign residents here in Korea.It is a daunting task for the Korean govern-ment to address alone, and e

ually demand-ing to the different stakeholders involved.But it can be a desirable program if it bene-fits the variety of groups, particularly mi-grant workers.Much of the focus of the government multi-culturalism policy has been the topic of mar-riage migrants or the so-called multiculturalfamilies. But in a forum on racial and genderdiscrimination, a Sri Lankan woman marriedto a Korean man raised her concern thatsuch a policy imposes on her and other

women’s activities, like learning how to

speak Korean, making kimchi, and under-standing her in-laws and the uni

ueness of the Korean culture. She emphasized thatthese programs never asked what theywould want or like to learn about Korea.It is a multiculturalism policy that is gearedtowards cultural assimilation. A state ledpolicy that is being challenged since it ne-glects to recognize diversity and serves theinterest of the states rather than its benefici-aries. The policy only patronizesthe dominant culture for the guests andmigrant communities to imbibe, but fails topromote or acknowledge the uni

ueness of other cultural minority groups. Aside from its multicultural families thereare 1.2 million foreign guests in South Korea,where the largest population is comprised of the migrant workers. Ma

ority of which areChinese-Koreans and a number comes frompoorer Asian countries. Cultural and enter-tainment programs, like Arirang Festival thatcaters to migrant workers, was highly criti-cized for stereotyping their plight. Organizedmigrant labor groups stressed the need forKorean society to be informed of their laborand human rights issues more than beingentertained by such festivals.The Seoul Global Center, in its attempts topromote a multicultural program, now ex-tends its consulting and counseling servicesto migrant workers on issues such as wagesand compensation, benefits and other laborconcerns. However, these issues are furthercompounded by cultural differences thatplay a significant factor in terms of relationaldynamics, accidents and other preventablebut unchecked work hazards. A Muslim worker gets ostracized by its co-workers who are into the habit of drinkingalcohol. Vegetarians, non-pork or non-beef eaters are made fun of because of their food preferences. There are culturalpractices that for some migrants and evenKoreans find if not strange, is totally un-thinkable or even unacceptable.It is easy to understand why Filipinos are

ubilant when

ongno District officials up-hold to keep the Sunday flea market. Hye-wha is a cultural space for Filipino commu-nity. Provision for such a space to freelypractice their religion, send money to theirfamilies, have free medical check-up, buyfood and eat meals, and meet as well asinteract with their compatriot is an impor-tant expression in the recognitionof cultural diversity.Media plays an important role to furtherenhance multiculturalism. Woong

in’s ra-

dio program like the Multicultural Family

Broadcasting where Sulyapinoy’s very own

Regz is an anchor is a positive steptowards promoting the image and makingthe presence of migrants workers felt.Currently showing in cinemas is a block-buster film

방가

(Banga

Banga

)or

„

He’s on Duty’ that have foreigners as

minor actors. It is a satire on the current

state of Korea’s labor problems, a com-

mendable effort to make the issue main-stream.Other sectors in the society that facilitatesand helps bridge such cultural understand-ings are the academe, the church, and theKorean civil society groups. The academe issignificant for their continued researches andstudies that feed in to improving governmentpolicies. The church has their ministry onmigrant workers, helping them organize as-sociations the likes of FEWA. The Korean civilsociety groups that support and sustain un-ions of migrant workers will definitely helpreinforce making their conditions better andalso in the process, helps improve workingconditions for all in general. A good multicultural policy is not only that of a cultural entertainment program of songand dances of

migrants’ communities but one

that celebrate, accepts and understands cul-tural diversity in its myriad of forms. It is apolicy that has concern for the economic well

being of those who contribute to the nation’s

prosperity. It is a policy that recognizes mi-grant workers organizations to be instrumen-tal to further promote and contribute in im-proving culture-sensitive governance, thushelping the country in strengthening its de-mocracy and respect for

migrant workers’

rights.By Corinna Bianca Estari

During the Third Leader’s Forum held last

August in the Philippine Embassy, ViceConsul Arnel Talisayon presented the up-dated emergency evacuation contingencyplan for Filipinos in case a massive need toleave South Korea arises. A visual descrip-tion of the plan was shown.Talisayon says that as all Philippine em-bassies around the world are mandated tohave contingency plans in order to protectFilipinos around the world in anticipationof events outside normal circumstances,such as wars or natural disasters, GeneralRoy Cimatu visited Korea in

une of thisyear. Cimatu is deemed most appropriatefor the

ob as one of those who led theteam who massively evacuated Filipinosfrom the Middle East during the Gulf War.Speculations arose that the contingencyplan was set in place in order to respondto the rising tensions with North Korea,brought about by the sinking of the navalship Cheonan. However, Talisayon clarifiedduring the forum that tensions betweenthe two Koreas would unlikely evolve intoan all-out military confrontation. He saysthat aside from closely following reports inthe media, the embassy also works closelywith the Ministry of Foreign Affairs andTrade and the UN Command, as well asreceiving word from South Korea Presi-dent Lee Myung-bak that they will exer-cise diplomatic resolutions and avoid allpossible acts that may lead to confronta-tion. Aside from which, Talisayon advisesthat with the fast Internet bandwidth of the country, foreigners are also advised tokeep themselves aware for information oncurrent events, to avoid unnecessarypanic wherever they may be. Asked what the embassy may be willing toassist with should there be a need to im-plement the contingency plan, Talisayonresponds that,

“

The Philippine Govern-ment will arrange and coordinate the pro-vision of amenities such as food and lodg-ing in convergence areas. Transportationfrom South Korea to the Philippines willalso be arranged, whether by air or sea.

”

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

…

)

www.sulyapinoy.org

ITO

R’

SNOTE

Pete Rahon

Editor-in-chief

Corinna Bianca Estari

FeatUre/Managing Editor

Raechelle Montalbo

Lay-out Editor

Rodel Arias, Lito Libunag, Alwyin Casino, Ismael Calandrina

Circulation Managers

Cathy Rose Garcia

Adviser

OCTOBER 2010

www.sulyapinoy.org

For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions & Advertisements,

e-mail: editorialstaff

sulyapinoy.orgor sulyap.editorialstaff

gmail.com



SULYAPINOY observes the Philippine PressCode of Ethics .

EDITORIAL STAFF BOARD OF PUBLICATION

D I S C L A I M E R

Different opinions are encourage to stimulatemember input and involvement.

SULYAPI-

NOY’

s role is to provide information that per-mits

FEWA

members to develop informed opin-ions on sub

ects that will affect their statusas migrant workers and, in some instances,their personal lives. FEWA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any con-tributor. Statements or opinions expressed inSULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s)and not the official policy of FEWA unless sostated.

trainees for a certain period. In 2000, 2

1system (2 years as a trainee and 1 year as aworker) was carried out and it changed to1

2 system (1 year as a trainee and 2 yearsas a worker) in 2002. From November 2002,Koreans with a foreign nationality who hadfamily registrations or relatives in Korea wereallowed to have a

ob in a certain category of service industries.However, as the number of illegally stayingforeign workers kept on increasing, a socialconsensus was made that a limited improve-ment in using foreign workforce was insuffi-cient. Based on such recognition, the Koreangovernment legislated the Act on ForeignWorkforce Employment and as stipulated inthe Act, Employment Permit System (EPS), asystem to introduce low-skilled foreign work-ers legally, was put in effect on August 17,200

after one year grace period for prepara-tion.Employment Management System (EMS),which allowed Koreans with a foreign nation-ality to work in Korea, was originally confinedto a few service industries. But constructionwas added in the list in 200

and was finallyconsolidated into EPS as a special case sys-tem on the beginning of EPS. The ForeignWorkforce Policy Committee expanded therange of industries allowed to hire ethnicKoreans to include manufacturing, agricultureand livestock, and fishery in coastal waters in200

after considering the characteristics of each industry.On March

, 2007, special case of EPS, whichallowed Koreans with a foreign nationalitywho was shifted to Visit Employment System(VES) so that Koreans with foreign nationalitywho do not have any connections in Koreacan work for 3 years. VES is a policy to en-gage ethnic Koreans, who had been margin-alized in terms of immigration and employ-ment in Korea, and improve their

ob oppor-tunities and free visit. For Koreans more than(Continued on Page

)

Summarized by: Dondave

abay

From the end of the 19

0's, Korea's laborshortage for manufacturing industriesloomed large but only skilled workforceand professionals with legal so

ourn

uali-fication such as having a labor contractwere allowed to work in Korea. For exam-ple, professors (E-1), language instructors(E-2), researchers (E-3), technology in-structors (E-

), professionals (E-5), artsand entertainment workers (E-

), andspecific activists (E-7) are those who wereable to work in Korea, but unskilled andmanual workers were prohibited from get-ting a

ob in Korea in principle.However, as demands from employers toaccept low-skilled foreign workers contin-ued to increase, the Korean governmentintroduced Industrial Skill Trainee Program(ISTP) for overseas-invested firms in No-vember 1991 and Industrial Trainee Sys-tem (ITS) in November 1993. Under ITS,foreign employees were employed astrainees rather than workers, thus openinga gate for various problems such as bend-ing the law in hiring foreign workforce,leaving workplace without authorization,overdue wage, and their human rightsviolations. The Korean government, wellaware of the criticisms on ITS, operatedITS with a limited

uota. As a result, sup-ply of legal foreign workforce was failed tomeet the demand, which in turn broughtabout more criticism on ITS (Kang, SooDol, 199

Park, Yeong Bum, 199

Lim,Hyun

in & Seol, Dong-Hoon, 2000

;

Yoo,Gil Sang & Lee, Kyu Yong, 2001).In order to resolve problems caused by ITS,the Korean government tried to introduceEmployment Permit System (EPS) severaltimes only to find severe oppositions fromthe employers' side. As the introduction of EPS continued to be delayed, the govern-ment put in the place conditions-attachedITS, in which foreign workers were allowedto ac

uire worker's status after working as

SULYAPINOY Office Address:

115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1 dong, Songbuk Villa, Seoul, Korea 13

-020

FEWA Office & SULYAPINOY Distribution Center:

Inside WOORI BANK, Hyehwa-dong Branch,

ongno-gu, Seoul

Overview of the EPS

Photos by Razzl Bravo

Chairman :

Dondave

abay