Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Gov't considers flexible pay, visa extensions for Filipino caregivers after 2 disappear
Officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor talk with Filipino caregivers to discuss the challenges they face at a meeting room in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Jung Da-hyun
Caregiving workers highlight curfew and long commutes as major difficulties
The central and local governments are considering allowing Filipino caregivers to choose between a weekly or monthly pay system and extending their permitted stay from the current seven months to three years.
These measures aim to provide caregiving workers with more stable employment and residency, while also addressing challenges related to their working conditions, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Tuesday.
The measures were announced a day after it was revealed that two of the workers have been out of contact since the Chuseok holiday last week. These two were among 100 Filipino caregivers who arrived on Aug. 6 and began working on Sept. 3 as part of a pilot project designed to provide foreign caregiving workers to local households. The goal of the project is to alleviate childcare burdens for parents and help boost the nation’s birthrate.
The two left their accommodation on Sept. 15 during the Chuseok holiday. They were expected to return by Sept. 18 but have not been heard from since. Despite repeated attempts to contact them via email, authorities have been unable to receive a response.
The reasons for their absence remain unclear. However, there is speculation that dissatisfaction with the pay system may be a factor, as the intermediary agencies failed to provide timely training allowances and payments were made late. Their salary for the first month of service is also scheduled to be paid next month. Additionally, there are concerns that they might be worried about potential layoffs after the short-term pilot project ends.
In response, the city government and the labor ministry held a meeting with caregivers to gather firsthand insights into the challenges they face in their daily work.
The city government is considering offering workers the choice between a weekly or monthly payment system to accommodate individual preferences.
"We discussed the possibility of shifting to a weekly payment system for all Filipino domestic workers, but those attending the meeting today expressed a preference for the monthly salary system, as it allows more financial planning," said Kim Seon-soon, head of the Woman and Family Office at the city government.
In addition, the city is weighing the possibility of offering additional allowances to caregivers responsible for families with multiple children.
"There was a case where a caregiver had to look after both a 20-month-old and a five-year-old child within one household," Kim said. "Korean domestic workers usually receive a 50 percent increase from the basic allowance when taking care of two children. We need to reflect this in the project."
Furthermore, the labor ministry is looking into extending the employment period for caregivers on E-9 visas.
Currently, the E-9 visa allows Filipino caregivers one month for training and six months for employment. The ministry is exploring the possibility of extending the employment period to up to three years, along with corresponding visa extensions, to ensure greater job stability.
In the meeting, the Filipino caregivers highlighted difficulties with their working conditions, citing issues such as curfews at their accommodations and long commutes to work.
They said long commutes are a significant challenge, especially for those responsible for multiple households. Some workers, who manage up to three or four homes, reported struggling with travel times and having to eat meals in parks or subway stations due to their demanding schedules.
The city government said it will consider revising assignments to minimize travel time. Additionally, officials are exploring the possibility of providing a space where caregivers can rest between assignments.
Filipino caregivers arrive at Incheon International Airport, Aug. 6, as part of Korea's pilot project aimed at supplying foreign workers for child care. Joint Press Corps
Caregivers also expressed frustration over the 10 p.m. curfew imposed at their accommodations.
"As adults, we should have the freedom to decide how to spend our time," Joan, a Filipino caregiver present at the meeting, said.
"I hope the curfew can be extended to midnight, as many of us want time to socialize."
However, a source told The Korea Times that following the disappearance of the two workers, the curfew was recently moved up to 9:30 p.m.
Attorney Choi Jeong-gyu of Wongok Law Firm voiced concerns that the pay system and other changes should not be limited to caregivers participating in the pilot project.
"The Korean government's migrant labor policy exposes significant shortcomings in this case," Choi said.
"While the government continues to provide jobs for foreign workers, there must be improvements in their management and treatment by the central government once they arrive in Korea."
Meanwhile, a report regarding the disappearance of the two Filipino caregivers will be submitted on Thursday. Local labor offices and the Ministry of Justice must be notified if employees have been absent without leave for more than five business days. If they do not return to work within a month of the report, they will be classified as illegal aliens.