[news] Korean Labour News - March 2004

[ron]

Migrant Workers are Also Workers!

Mobilize Protests Against the South Korean Government¡¯s Manhunt and 
Repression of Migrant Workers!



Since March 9, seven migrant workers have been on a hunger strike in 
immigration detention centers in Hwasung and Yesoo and at Myeongdong 
Cathedral. The conditions of these deportation centers are even worse 
than South Korean prisons. These workers have basically put their lives 
"on the line" for migrant rights in South Korea.



On July 31st 2003, the South Korean government passed a new migrant 
worker management system, entitled, the Act on Employment of Foreign 
Labourers or otherwise known as the Employment Permit System (EPS). This 
law is to take into effect on August 2004. This new law along with the 
Industrial Trainee System is basically South Korean's version of a slave 
system.



To migrant workers, the EPS is a law that allows slavery. According to 
the new law, migrant workers can work in South Korea for only three 
years and for only one employer. Since migrant workers cannot change 
their work place, the employer basically has complete control over the 
wages and working conditions of migrant workers; thus these workers are 
bound to the employer like slaves.



In preparation for the implementation of the EPS, since November 16, 
2003, the South Korean government has been consistent in their policy of 
seeking out and deporting migrant workers who have been in South Korea 
for more than four years. This policy has resulted in the tragic deaths 
of nine migrant workers who chose death instead of returning to their 
home country.