28 October 2015 -Philippine Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz met with her Korean counterpart at the Sejong Government Complex on October 12 to strengthen cooperation in the implementation of Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) while at the same time propose measures to enhance the welfare of Filipino workers in South Korea.
“We assure you of our cooperation in the implementation of the EPS through the Embassy and our labor office,” Secretary Baldoz told Korea’s Employment and Labor Minister Lee Ki-kweon, calling the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) attached to Philippine diplomatic missions overseas as “centers of care and excellence”.
Secretary Baldoz, who arrived in Korea on a four-day official visit starting October 10, was accompanied in the meeting by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, DOLE Undersecretary Nicon F. Fameronag, POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado, DOLE Director Saul T. de Vries and Labor Attaché Atty Felicitas Q. Bay.
Secretary Baldoz expressed appreciation for the fact that she was the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the designated sending agency of EPS, when the Philippines together with five countries signed the EPS Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea on 23 April 2004.
She noted the improvements in the implementation of the EPS after a decade of implementation, such as the sincere workers’ law, allowing the re-entry and return of workers to the same employer provided there was no change of workplace, among other conditions. She also raised the need for more appropriate treatment for undocumented workers hired by Korean employers.
Minister Lee said he understood that the interest of foreign workers is primordial to a sending country and gave reassurances that Korea respects the human rights of all foreign workers. He also stressed that both governments should closely cooperate to guarantee that the basic rights of undocumented workers are not infringed upon.
The two labor ministers also discussed a number of other concerns, including the difficulties in applying for or claiming the departure guarantee insurance, industrial safety and health standards affecting workers involved in workplace accidents, and continuing concerns over E-6 visa holders, who are vulnerable to exploitative situations, including human trafficking.
Secretary Baldoz also informed Minister Lee of improvements being undertaken by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to improve procedures for EPS applicants taking the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). She said DOLE will begin pilot testing an online registration for the TOPIK under the EPS by next month.
She likewise informed Minister Lee that the POEA is now ISO-certified and it is committed to effectively and efficiently delivering quality services to its clients.
As of June 2015, there are 52,993 Filipino residents in Korea, of which more than 25,000 are employed in workplaces under the EPS of Korea. END