KATIPUNAN NG MGA SAMAHAN NG MIGRANTENG MANGAGAWA SA KOREA
(KASAMMAKO)

Statement on Harassment and Extortion Complaints from Korean Embassy in Manila, the Non-issuance of Working Visas to Overseas Filipino Workers and Threat of Clamp-down on Filipino Migrant Workers

As members and officers of various Filipino Migrant Workers organization in South Korea, we are alarmed of the news that the Korean Embassy in Manila hinted that it would take action against more than 15,000 undocumented migrant workers working in the Korean Peninsula when the alleged harassment and extortion complaints from Korean nationals are not addressed by Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.

Understandably, Consul General Hong Sung-Mok of the Korean embassy was forced to stop issuing visas for Korea-bound Filipino migrant workers since Monday because of the "enormous pressure" from Korean businessmen that he has to do something about the alleged harassment and extortion practices by officers or staff of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration. It has been disclosed by Korean embassy staff in Manila to mass media agencies ( Inquirer.net and AFP/Korea Herald) that Korean nationals applying for visa and visa extension in the Philippine immigration office suffered in the hands of fixers who charge exorbitant fees due to inability of the office to expedite their visa applications.

Although the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Claro Cristobal promised to verify the reports, it is not clear whether the erring immigration officials and the fixers, once harassment and extortion complaints by Korean nationals are proven to be true will be administratively and criminally charged and punished. As migrant workers in South Korea we are embarrassed and ashamed because of the reluctance of the Philippine government under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to curb corruption particularly extortion practices by government officials and staff.

We deplore the inability of the Philippine government to protect the interest of the Filipino migrant workers in South Korea. It behooves that regardless of the immigration status of Filipino migrant workers in Korea, the Philippine government ought to protect their employment. Filipino migrant workers in South Korea are in constant fear of the unabated clamp down especially those who are undocumented. Even with this climate of fear among Filipino migrant workers in South Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul has not been doing much to protect them. We never heard of our Philippine Embassy officials negotiating with Korean Immigration officials for the legalization of the overstaying undocumented OFWs.

The hint of Consul General Hong Sung-Mok of the Korean Embassy in Manila to take action on the 15,000 undocumented Filipino Migrant Workers in South Korea is not totally a new thing, the clamp down of Korean Immigration Office on all undocumented migrant workers remain unabated year round. In fact, he is articulating South Korea's state policy of deporting undocumented migrant workers through its annual intensified campaign which for this year has already started this month of July and will last for three months.

We oppose the ongoing clamp down of all undocumented migrant workers in South Korea especially the Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs) and call for their legalization. All migrant workers have contributed to the wealth and prosperity of the country and they have been the source of cheap labor for the small and medium scale industries.

We call on the Philippine government under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to curb corruption in government, penalize erring government officials and personnel involved in extortion and harassment of foreign nationals applying for visas, put a stop to extra-judicial killings and instead work for social justice and sustainable economic development so that Filipinos will not longer leave their families for work abroad.

Mr. Carlo Oliver
Chairperson
KASAMMAKO
010-4849-0342