EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Oct. 24

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Stop Crackdown
Nation Should Seek Ways of Coexistence With Illegal Aliens

``Immigrant workers in Korea are like disposable goods,'' an Amnesty
International official said here recently. ``After they're used up, Koreans throw
them away and replace them with others.''
Most Koreans would probably think that the remarks made by the global body's
researcher for East Asia must be exaggerated. But many foreign laborers working
in Korea agreed with the statement, stressing the key fact remains true.
Five years ago, Korea won some points in human rights records by introducing the
``employment permit system,'' as the first among Asian countries. But even this
scheme, which marked a sharp improvement from the previous ``industrial trainee
system,'' is now revealing one problem after another.
Most problematic is its rule that limits the maximum work period in Korea to
three years, during which immigrant laborers are allowed to change workplaces
three times or less and only under the permission of their incumbent employers.
This forces them to endure very unfavorable ??? almost inhumane ??? working
conditions, such as a poor safety environment, overdue payments, abuses and even
sexual harassment.
So for many foreign workers, especially those who outstay the stipulated period,
there are only two options: Accept the hardship or become illegal aliens, and
200,000 of them have opted for the latter with one tenth of them remaining in
that situation for as long as more than a decade.
A case in point is Minod Mokthan, known by his Korean name Minu, a Nepalese
leader of the band ``Stopcrackdown.'' He was recently caught by the police after
staying here illegally for 18 years. During that time, he received a plaque of
thanks from the Korean culture minister for his cultural contribution to
immigrant workers' lives, and even performed before the late President Roh
Moo-hyun. It must be these more recent activities of his to improve human rights
that get on the raw nerve of the Lee administration, which puts the ``rule of
law'' ??? especially on the weak and poor classes ??? ahead of all else.
Government officials say the restriction on foreigners' work period and changing
workplaces is to protect Koreans' job opportunities. One can easily know this is
not entirely true by asking the owners of small businesses, who say their firms
cannot operate without immigrant workers, as few Koreans, especially younger
generations, are willing to work at small firms nor ``wrestle with machines.''
It is apparent Korea needs foreign workers for its economy, cultural diversity
and human rights environment. Of course, it would be best if people's perceptions
and consciousness change, but it takes times, which is why the government should
start with changing systems and laws.
The time has long past for Seoul to find ways to allow illegal aliens to better
contribute to their host country by working out certain conditions and eventually
moving toward legalizing the illegals. More immediately, the government should
soften the ways of cracking down on the illegal immigrants. At the same time,
they should educate local employers to treat their workers better and give
harsher penalties to violators.
President Lee's ``new Asia initiative'' couldn't ring more if Asian workers
continue to remain subject to abuse and maltreatment.
(END)