By Elizer Penaranda
The initiative of President Lee Myung-bak to curb abuse experienced by the foreign wives of Koreans, particularly of those from China and Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam, is highly commendable since we're celebrating women's month.
However, these wives are not the only victims of abuse. Foreign workers are also receiving maltreatment from some Korean employers. The compulsory study of other culture whether for interracial marriage or management is important.
Statistics shows that misunderstanding between Korean employers and foreign workers is basically cultural. These foreign workers experienced culture shock brought by misunderstanding due to Korean language difficulty.
As South Korea welcomes the whole world, it creates a ``negative'' image to the foreign community.
Last February, the Ministry of Labor announced its plan to bring in 132,000 foreign workers to supply the needed workforce for small and medium-scale industries.
Studies show that as the number of foreign workers increases, work-related problems tend to increase.
The foreign community is asking about regular monitoring of the conditions of foreign workers in their workplaces.
As in the case of the Employment Permit System, foreign workers, together with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), are requesting shelter houses for distressed workers since the system is a government-to-government program.
Problems usually occur when foreign workers, particularly females lose their jobs.
There must be intensive edu-culture study programs that mutually educate both the employer and the worker; and both the foreign wife and Korean husband in an inter-racial marriage. All foreign workers need to be offered protection by their country of origin and South Korea since the two benefit from the human resources-workers.
Elizer Penaranda is currently employed under the Employment Permit System and an editor of Sulyapinoy newsletter. The writer can be reached at elizer_penaranda05@yahoo.com.
Korean Tragedy