Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today welcomed reports that the Work Permit System (WPS) bill, a proposal that would benefit Filipino workers in the Republic of Korea (ROK), is under serious consideration in an extra-ordinary session of the National Assembly of that country. The proposed measure would also benefit the other foreign workers in the ROK. Under this measure, undocumented foreign workers will have the opportunity to regularize their employment.

"It is heartening to hear of the steps being taken by the Government of the Republic of Korea to address the concern of foreign workers, our own OFWs among them, as well as the likely effects a sudden labor shortage would have upon the economy of the ROK," the Secretary said.

"In this increasingly global economy, States should consider not only the consequences of their actions upon their own people, but that their actions also have a ripple effect upon their neighbors," the Secretary added.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korean media recently reported that during a press conference given by National Assembly Representative Hong Saduk, the floor leader of the Grand National Party, there will be bipartisan support for this measure during the current extra-ordinary session of the National Assembly.

This development stemmed from the written request of ROK President Roh to the National Assembly that it consider the WPS bill filed by Representative Lee Jae-jung of the Millennium Democratic Party.

"We are most grateful to President Roh Moo-hyun for taking a personal interest in this issue by writing to the ROK National Assembly," the Secretary said. President Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary Ople, and DOLE Secretary Sto. Tomas have been consistently supportive of the passage of the proposed WPS bill.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is monitoring developments in the ROK National Assembly and news broadcasts. The Department of Foreign Affairs, with the Department of Labor and Employment, keenly awaits the results of this extra-ordinary session. END.