FKTU Calls for Change in Foreign Workers Status

The Chosun Ilbo, 9 August 2002

The Federation of Korean Trade Union called on the government to change its policy regarding illegal immigrants working at small and medium businesses, Thursday, and introduce measures to allow them the freedom to change workplaces providing certain procedures were followed and requirements met.

The FKTU explained in a letter a proposed system that allowed the illegal foreign workers to move another workplace in the same type of business or area if they have a grievance with their employer, even if he did not break salary and labor conditions contracted to before they entered the country.

FKTU pointed out the government should apply the new as a means to protect human right as the problem with some 270,000 illegal foreign workers originated from its policy failure.