By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

The state-backed human rights agency suggested Monday that English-teaching E-2 visa regulations be eased to allow native English teachers to work at non-educational public and private organizations on a part-time basis.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said it had filed a petition with the Ministry of Justice to call for the visa rule amendment, claiming it will help numerous workers and their employers receive better English education and save money.

Under current law, E-2 holders are in principle banned from holding secondary jobs at non-educational public or private organizations. Even public and private institutes with appropriate educational facilities must employ E-2 visa holders full-time to get lessons from them.

``Once rectified, more than 1.3 million corporate workers are expected to benefit from the change, making it possible for their employers to save more than 120 billion won ($90 million) annually,'' it said.

``The complaint is now being reviewed. Nothing is certain at the moment,'' a Korea Immigration Service official said.

The commission, launched in February last year, is charged with finding resolutions for people's grievances, protecting human rights, and fighting corruption.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr