Nation Should Seek Ways of Coexistence With Illegal Aliens

``Immigrant workers in Korea are like disposable goods,'' an Amnesty International official said here recently. ``After they're used up, Koreans throw them away and replace them with others.''

Most Koreans would probably think that the remarks made by the global body's researcher for East Asia must be exaggerated. But many foreign laborers working in Korea agreed with the statement, stressing the key fact remains true.

Five years ago, Korea won some points in human rights records by introducing the ``employment permit system,'' as the first among Asian countries. But even this scheme, which marked a sharp improvement from the previous ``industrial trainee system,'' is now revealing one problem after another.

Most problematic is its rule that limits the maximum work period in Korea to three years, during which immigrant laborers are allowed to change workplaces three times or less and only under the permission of their incumbent employers. This forces them to endure very unfavorable ― almost inhumane ― working conditions, such as a poor safety environment, overdue payments, abuses and even sexual harassment.

So for many foreign workers, especially those who outstay the stipulated period, there are only two options: Accept the hardship or become illegal aliens, and 200,000 of them have opted for the latter with one tenth of them remaining in that situation for as long as more than a decade.

A case in point is Minod Mokthan, known by his Korean name Minu, a Nepalese leader of the band ``Stopcrackdown.'' He was recently caught by the police after staying here illegally for 18 years. During that time, he received a plaque of thanks from the Korean culture minister for his cultural contribution to immigrant workers' lives, and even performed before the late President Roh Moo-hyun. It must be these more recent activities of his to improve human rights that get on the raw nerve of the Lee administration, which puts the ``rule of law'' ― especially on the weak and poor classes ― ahead of all else.

Government officials say the restriction on foreigners' work period and changing workplaces is to protect Koreans' job opportunities. One can easily know this is not entirely true by asking the owners of small businesses, who say their firms cannot operate without immigrant workers, as few Koreans, especially younger generations, are willing to work at small firms nor ``wrestle with machines.''

It is apparent Korea needs foreign workers for its economy, cultural diversity and human rights environment. Of course, it would be best if people's perceptions and consciousness change, but it takes times, which is why the government should start with changing systems and laws.

The time has long past for Seoul to find ways to allow illegal aliens to better contribute to their host country by working out certain conditions and eventually moving toward legalizing the illegals. More immediately, the government should soften the ways of cracking down on the illegal immigrants. At the same time, they should educate local employers to treat their workers better and give harsher penalties to violators.

President Lee's ``new Asia initiative'' couldn't ring more if Asian workers continue to remain subject to abuse and maltreatment.