Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Liberal lawmakers call for expansion of rights for migrant workers
Members of the Migrants' Trade Union hold a rally in central Seoul, Sunday. Liberal lawmakers called for an expansion of rights for foreign workers in Korea on Tuesday, as the union marked the 20th anniversary of its founding. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
Members of Migrants’ Trade Union celebrate 20th anniversary of establishment
Liberal lawmakers on Tuesday called for expanding the rights of foreign workers in Korea as members of the Migrants’ Trade Union (MTU) marked the 20th anniversary of its founding.
At the event held in Seoul to celebrate the anniversary, Rep. Lee Yong-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea expressed solidarity with union workers and vowed to help their voices be reflected in the future policies of his party and the new administration after the presidential election on June 3.
“All workers are equal, regardless of their migration status,” he said. “I will do my best to help guarantee their equal rights as laborers during and after the election campaign.”
In a statement released for the forum, he outlined several policy priorities, including introducing a system that would allow foreign workers to freely change their workplaces and fields of work — a long-standing demand of the MTU.
Rep. Jung Hye-kyung of the minor liberal Progressive Party also vowed to improve the rights of migrant workers as she acknowledged the unfairness that remains in the current system.
“I will do my part to help migrant workers build a better future with dignity and rights,” she said.
Established in 2005, the MTU sought to address problems facing foreign workers, including poor working conditions, widespread inequality and discrimination at workplaces.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor initially turned down its application to be recognized as an official labor union. Frustrated yet determined, the members eventually brought the issue to court. About 10 years later, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the workers in a landmark decision.
Today, the MTU has more than 4,400 members from more than a dozen countries, mostly from Southeast Asia. The number is expected to continue to increase for many years amid Korea’s efforts to invite more foreign workers to fill the growing labor void in many industries, a result of its chronically low birth rate.
Speakers at the event shared their thoughts on possible ways to promote the rights of foreign workers, as well as strategies and the need to integrate them more closely with Korean workers. As part of such efforts, the speakers also called for the expansion of the MTU’s cooperation with international organizations.
Luc Triangle, secretary general at the International Trade Union Confederation, a group that represents the interests of workers worldwide, sent a congratulatory message to the MTU.
“Twenty years ago, despite immense challenges, migrant workers in Korea stood up for their dignity, their rights and their future by establishing the MTU,” Triangle said in a video. “And your struggles and victories resonate beyond Korea ― they are an inspiration for workers everywhere fighting for justice, equality and decent work.”
Triangle vowed to continue to cooperate with the MTU in “defending the rights of all workers, including the most vulnerable.”
“The fight for equality, decent work and union rights for migrant workers is far from over ― but together, we will continue to push forward,” he said.