‘Seasonal Labor Improvement Countermeasures Committee’, including migrant groups, calls for a thorough investigation of local governments

‘Seasonal Labor Improvement Countermeasures Committee’, including migrant groups, calls for a thorough investigation of local governments

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong A-ran = The 'Seasonal Labor Comprehensive Improvement Task Force', which is comprised of migrant worker support groups, recently urged the government to severely punish private brokers who intervened in the seasonal worker selection process in the Philippines and improve the seasonal labor system.

In a statement released on the 30th of last month, the countermeasures committee claimed, based on a media report, that there were human rights violations, such as when broker Hong gave instructions to duck walk, lie down, etc. during the selection test for seasonal workers in Paju, a corner city in the Philippines, last August.

The countermeasures committee pointed out that this was a violation of the Immigration Control Act, saying, “Even though Mr. Hong had no authority to intervene in the seasonal labor system, he held the microphone and led the selection test.” The Immigration Control Act prohibits anyone, except the state, local governments, and seasonal labor specialized organizations, from interfering in the selection, placement, and recruitment of seasonal workers.

The countermeasures committee also criticized Paju City, saying, "It was revealed that the local government, which should actively prevent broker intervention, actually entrusted and neglected seasonal labor to private brokers, and was even cooperating in violation of the Immigration Control Act."

According to the countermeasures committee, a Paju city official mentioned in a media interview that Mr. Hong first proposed signing a seasonal labor agreement (MOU) between Corner City of the Philippines and Paju City.

Regarding the seasonal labor system, the countermeasures committee claimed, "The structure is such that local governments entrust selection, departure, and post-entry management to brokers who know the local situation well," and added, "There are cases where brokers collect large fees from applicants, and after entry, they confiscate ID cards, threaten or monitor applicants, and extort a portion of wages in the name of commission."

The countermeasures committee also criticized the ‘seasonal work specialized agency’ system introduced by the Ministry of Justice.

The countermeasures committee claims that the National Institute of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Food, Education, Culture and Information (Rural Development Administration), which was selected as a central specialized agency, lacks expertise as an education, publicity and informatization-oriented agency, and that local specialized agencies have not yet been selected.

The countermeasures committee requested that investigative agencies and courts severely punish Mr. Hong, and that the government impose sanctions on Paju City and fully investigate whether local governments across the country were involved as brokers.

In addition, it was urged that the MOU method between local governments should be abolished and that publicness should be guaranteed in the process of recruiting and sending seasonal workers through an intergovernmental agreement.