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#SouthKorea Exploitation 12/03/24/1530PST: The call for #martiallaw in embattled nation reflects a culture of imported, undocumented workers on the farms, in the fields, and at the fisheries, bordering on slavery.

(Begin Perplexity-AI

vietnamese laborers treated like slaves in south korea

The treatment of Vietnamese laborers, along with other nationalities, in South Korea's seasonal worker scheme has been heavily criticized for resembling modern slavery and human trafficking. Here are some key points:

Exploitation and Abuse

Vietnamese workers, like those from the Philippines, Nepal, and other countries, are recruited under sister-city agreements to fill labor shortages in South Korea. However, they often face severe exploitation. Brokers charge excessive fees for placements, confiscate passports and documents, and control the workers' movements, effectively trapping them in forced labor situations
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Harsh Working Conditions

Workers are often forced into back-breaking manual jobs that are far from what they were promised. For example, some workers were promised farm work but ended up in grueling jobs such as mountain grass cutting or working long hours in harsh conditions
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Contract Violations

Contracts often do not reflect the actual working conditions or fees charged. Workers have reported being charged for housing, food, and other expenses that were not mentioned in their contracts, significantly reducing their take-home pay. In some cases, workers received only a fraction of the promised wages
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Lack of Protection and Oversight

Despite numerous complaints, there has been little to no policy change or regulatory action to protect these workers. The South Korean government has refused to comment, and the Philippine government has acknowledged the issue but claims no jurisdiction over local practices. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Philippines has urged local governments to halt the sending of farm workers until better regulations are in place, but the old scheme continues
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Calls for Change

Rights groups, such as the Joint Committee with Migrants in Korea (JCMK), have called the program a new form of modern slavery and are pushing for better oversight, fair contracts, and protection of migrant workers' rights. There is a growing need for ethical recruitment practices and stricter regulations to prevent such abuses
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In summary, Vietnamese laborers, along with other migrant workers in South Korea, are facing severe exploitation, harsh working conditions, and a lack of protection, which has been likened to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Full Text: vietnamese laborers treated like slaves in south korea

cheap foreign labor in south korea

The use of cheap foreign labor in South Korea is a contentious and complex issue, driven by the country's demographic challenges, including a plummeting birth rate and an aging population. Here are some key points:

Policy Proposals and Controversies

The South Korean government has proposed several measures to bring in foreign domestic workers, which have been met with significant criticism. One of the most contentious proposals involves exempting foreign housekeeping workers and domestic helpers from the minimum wage law. This move is seen as a reversal of the protections granted by the Act on the Employment Improvement of Domestic Workers, enacted in 2022, and is criticized for potentially encouraging exploitation and rights abuses

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Pilot Programs and Expansion Plans

A pilot program announced in September 2023 aims to bring in 100 foreign domestic helpers to Seoul, with plans to expand to up to 1,200 workers if successful. These workers, primarily from the Philippines, are to be matched with families in need of childcare and housekeeping services. However, concerns have been raised about the wages and working conditions of these workers, with many likely to be paid less than the minimum wage and facing poor treatment

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Wage Disparities and Exploitation

The proposed wages for foreign domestic workers are significantly lower than those for local workers. For instance, while local housekeepers can earn up to 4.5 million won per month, foreign workers might be paid as little as 1 million won per month, which is below the minimum wage. This disparity is criticized for violating International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 111, which prohibits discrimination in labor contracts based on nationality

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International Criticism and Labor Abuses

The Philippines has suspended deployments of seasonal laborers to Korea due to reported labor abuses, including wage theft. Labor organizations have criticized the South Korean government for not addressing these issues adequately. The plan to allow private contracts between individual families and domestic care workers is feared to exacerbate these problems

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Broader Labor Issues

South Korea's labor policy for foreign workers is marred by poor working conditions, lack of integration support, and restrictive visa policies that bind workers to their employers. This has led to a significant number of undocumented workers, with 17.8% of migrants being undocumented as of recent reports. The tragic factory fire in June 2024, which killed 23 workers, highlighted the country's poor workplace safety record and its disproportionate impact on foreign laborers

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Economic and Social Implications

The reliance on cheap foreign labor is seen as a short-term solution to South Korea's demographic and labor shortages but is criticized for not addressing the underlying issues. Experts argue that this approach could create more problems, such as encouraging undocumented work and perpetuating exploitation, rather than providing a sustainable solution to the country's care and labor needs

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Full Text: cheap foreign labor in south korea

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