Relief for guest workers

The Korea Herald, Asia News Network, Seoul

After weeks of a government crackdown on foreign migrant workers who are overstaying their visas, tens of thousands are in hiding and spending the end of the year -- a festive time for most of us -- in fear of deportation. We of the host society should give some thought to their plight.

These workers came to Korea to make money and they are accepted because there is a growing demand for cheap labor. These days, manufacturers have two choices: Hiring foreign workers or moving to China.

Many foreign workers, especially ethnic Koreans from China, have paid high broker fees to enter Korea. Their earnings are too low to enable them to pay back the money they borrowed to pay the fees, let alone start small businesses back home.

In the worst cases, employers pay them late or close their doors with several months' salaries unpaid. Quite a few workers have suffered injuries on the job and are ineligible for benefits due to their illegal status. And each one has a story woven in with their dreams.

Opinions vary about how to solve the problem. Some emphasize law and order and urge strict enforcement of the immigration rules, while others argue that each situation should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Advocacy groups insist that human rights be respected. Some nationalistic minds, on the other hand, warn of what will happen decades from now in this homogeneous country if foreigners are allowed to stay on.

One reasonable suggestion is that another amnesty should be given to embrace all overstaying migrant workers until August, when the work permit system takes effect. Through direct coordination between businesses and government authorities, the employment of migrant workers will be better managed under the new system, which will also guarantee the basic rights of foreigners.

We advise our lawmakers and immigration authorities to pay more attention to the problems of migrant workers and produce a solution that will help maintain our economy and prevent harm to Korea's image abroad. The countries of the foreign laborers are, after all, our markets.