By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

The economic downturn has begun to trouble foreign workers ― delivering them a triple whammy of a government crackdown on illegal aliens, layoffs and an increasingly high cost of living here.

This year, the government has begun a large-scale crackdown on illegal migrant workers. Also, as the economy enters a downturn, many employers are allegedly seeking to cut wages or layoff staff. Higher living costs and currency appreciation have made foreign workers' lives harder and their families back home are feeling the pinch due to a reduction in remittances.

A Filipino man assembling industrial equipment at a small-sized factory in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, recently remitted 500,000 won ($500) ― about one third of his monthly income ― to his wife living with two children in his hometown, Manila.

But he feels uneasy rather than happy.

``Earlier this year, I sent roughly 700,000 won. But it's impossible for now since the amount of expenditure needed to maintain basic living here has increased,'' he said. ``I need at least 700,000 won a month. It has notably increased, compared to what I spent earlier this year.'' Currency depreciation has also affected foreign workers heavily as they send money back home in dollars.

Like Koreans, these guest workers are forced to tighten their belts as the economy has been in a downturn and inflation has been surging.

Unfortunately the worst appears not to be over, with some predicting the economy will be worse next year.

In a Cabinet meeting Saturday, the Ministry of Justice said foreign workers with E-9 and H-2 visas ― classified as ``workers without expertise'' ― would shoulder the charge for board and lodging, which had been imposed on employers, from next year in a move to ease the financial burdens imposed on businessmen.

The government estimates that more than 446,000 foreign workers, or 38,6 percent of all migrant workers ― 1,156,287 as of July ― will be subject to the extra payout. The Migrants' Trade Union predicts the extra cost could reach 200,000 won or more.

``With the worsening economy, not only foreign workers overstaying their visas but also those with proper working visas are being forcibly laid off. Most legal workers landed here at their company's invitation. In this case, their company is obliged to pay a minimum allowance. But they rarely do,'' Jung Young-sup, a senior official at the Migrants' Trade Union, told The Korea Times.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr