ROXAS CHIDES KOREAN EMBASSY FOR RETALIATORY ACTION VS. OFWS

Senator Mar Roxas chided the Korean Embassy for its decision not to issue visas to Korea-bound Filipino workers unless the Philippine government acts on complaints concerning alleged extortion experienced by Korean businessmen in the hands of immigration agents.

Based on initial reports from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Korean Embassy stopped the processing visas to outbound Filipino workers last Friday. However, after a long discussion with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday afternoon, the Korean Consul-General apologized for not going through diplomatic channels in ventilating the complaints of Korean businessmen.

As of today, the Korean Embassy has not issued any announcement on the resumption of issuance of visas to Filipino workers bound for South Korea. Many of these workers leave for Korea under the government-to-government employment program known as the Employment Permit System (EPS) where the POEA screens and deploys overseas job applicants without charging placement fees.

Roxas said, "We respect the sovereign right of Korea to grant or deny visa applications. But it is unfortunate that the sincere desire and right to work of Filipino workers is being used as leverage to hasten government action against the alleged extortion activities of a few faceless and nameless immigration agents."

"The more sober and appropriate approach would be for the Korean Embassy to bring such complaints to the immediate attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs," Roxas said.

The senator said Bureau of Immigration Chief Marcelino Libanan has promised to investigate alleged extortion activities by immigration personnel. Roxas said the BID's new leadership should be given ample time to investigate such complaints and introduce reforms in the bureau.

"I urge the Korean Embassy to reconsider its decision and to spare innocent workers from what appears to be just a slight misunderstanding. Good neighbors need not resort to such tactics," the senator from Capiz said, adding that non-issuance of visas to legitimate workers demeans the historic friendship between the two countries.

Roxas noted that the Philippines was the only Asian country to send troops to defend South Korea during the Korean War. Korean pro-democracy students sought refuge in the country when their country was in turmoil. He said the historic alliance and long friendship between the two countries should be nurtured and maintained. "That is why it is important to make full use of diplomatic channels to resolve the concerns of Korean nationals staying in the country," he said.

The senator observed that Korean restaurants and stores continue to flourish in many places in the Philippines. Korean students are also being tutored or are enrolled in schools and colleges around the country. Roxas also cited the immense contributions of Filipino workers to the Korean economy. These are signs of a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

Since August 2004, when the labor ministers of both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding, around 17,695 Filipinos have found employment in South Korea, mostly as factory workers.

For 2007, around 12,000 workers are expected to work in Korea under the EPS. The quota for Filipino workers is not completely met due to a strict requirement for Korea-bound workers to pass a language test.