A string of actions against the employment of illegal Vietnamese guestworkers that overstay their visas in the Republic of Korea (RoK)was proposed at a workshop held in Hanoi on July.
Therecommendation follows a research conducted by the Department ofOverseas Labour and the Institute of Labour Science and SocialAffairs, both under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs,between November 2012 and May 2013 with the technical and financialassistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Atotal of 243 Vietnamese workers were surveyed, including 100 workinglegally in the RoK. The study highlights the reasons why workers decidenot to return home but choose to work illegally in the country.
The first is rooted in their perception. They are tempted by economicgains which motivate them to continue their jobs in the country, evenwhen their employment contracts have expired.
Moreover, Korean bosses are keen to hire workers without papers as it saves them time and money.
The absence of legal binds between labour suppliers like the OverseasWorkers’ Centre and workers is also to blame. Vietnam’s managementof its workforce in the RoK remains problematic, posing difficulties inthe settlement of emerging issues. The country also lacks a database tokeep track of guest workers.
Last but not least, penaltiesimposed by the Korean authorities are not strict enough to deteremployers hiring illegal workers.
The study suggested opening arepresentative office of the Overseas Labour Centre in the RoK topromptly address disputes and enhance the role of Vietnam’sworkforce management board in the host nation.
Participants atthe event stressed the need to forge close links between the Vietnameseand RoK authorities, especially in the management of Vietnamese workersin the country. The Vietnamese side should raise workers’ awareness ofthe law, enhance local authorities’ role in recruitment and providesupport for workers when they return home.
In the meantime, theKorean side should perfect its policies, overhaul the EmploymentPermit System (EPS) and crack down on violations.-VNA
Therecommendation follows a research conducted by the Department ofOverseas Labour and the Institute of Labour Science and SocialAffairs, both under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs,between November 2012 and May 2013 with the technical and financialassistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Atotal of 243 Vietnamese workers were surveyed, including 100 workinglegally in the RoK. The study highlights the reasons why workers decidenot to return home but choose to work illegally in the country.
The first is rooted in their perception. They are tempted by economicgains which motivate them to continue their jobs in the country, evenwhen their employment contracts have expired.
Moreover, Korean bosses are keen to hire workers without papers as it saves them time and money.
The absence of legal binds between labour suppliers like the OverseasWorkers’ Centre and workers is also to blame. Vietnam’s managementof its workforce in the RoK remains problematic, posing difficulties inthe settlement of emerging issues. The country also lacks a database tokeep track of guest workers.
Last but not least, penaltiesimposed by the Korean authorities are not strict enough to deteremployers hiring illegal workers.
The study suggested opening arepresentative office of the Overseas Labour Centre in the RoK topromptly address disputes and enhance the role of Vietnam’sworkforce management board in the host nation.
Participants atthe event stressed the need to forge close links between the Vietnameseand RoK authorities, especially in the management of Vietnamese workersin the country. The Vietnamese side should raise workers’ awareness ofthe law, enhance local authorities’ role in recruitment and providesupport for workers when they return home.
In the meantime, theKorean side should perfect its policies, overhaul the EmploymentPermit System (EPS) and crack down on violations.-VNA
