The  Work  Permit  Law  recently  passed by the  National  Assembly of  the  Republic of  Korea will benefit Filipino  workers in  that country as the new law  effectively quells  the feared  mass deportation of  illegal migrant workers in Korea, including about 18,000 overseas Filipino workers. Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople made this announcement today as he expressed the appreciation of the Philippine Government for the passage of this new law.

“The law is applicable to those who registered under the Voluntary Registration Program in March 2002. The larger number of undocumented Filipino workers in Korea, more than 17,000, had registered during the voluntary Registration Period which will minimize future problems,” the Secretary explained.

However, the critical provision vis-à-vis Filipino workers, majority of whom have overstayed in Korea for more than four (4) years, is the provision which calls for the deportation of workers who have illegally stayed for more than four years.

“I have instructed our embassy in Seoul to provide every assistance to those who will be able to avail of the benefits under this new law.  I have also instructed our embassy to assist those who will not be covered by this law,” he added.

The law will take effect within one year.  Preparatory steps will include the formulation of the system for the registration of employers, employers’ certification on the necessity and permission to hire foreign workers’ pool, the implementation of the language test, among others.

This is the result of high level representations made by the Philippine government, led by no less than H.E. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who raised the issue with South Korean President Roh, Moo-hyun, during her recent state visit to Korea last June.

“I would also like to thank the Korean Ambassador to the Philippines and his officers and staff whose representations and reports to their home office provided sufficient basis for the executive department of the Korean government to strongly favor the formulation and passage of this law,” the Secretary said. END.