Korea extends voluntary exit for illegals to Oct. 31

Filipinos staying illegally in South Korea stand to benefit from the Korean government’s extension of its voluntary exit program, but have only until next week to avail of it. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in South Korea said the Korean Immigration Service extended its voluntary exit program to October 31. “We hope that overstaying (Filipinos) will take advantage of this opportunity, as this will avoid lots of trouble and unnecessary fines," said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz in an article posted Friday on the Labor Department website. Citing a report from the POLO, Baldoz said that at least 356 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) had availed of the program as of Aug. 25. The program started on May 6. “Fines and entry restrictions will not be imposed for those who will opt to leave Korea on or before the deadline," Baldoz said. Those who volunteer to leave the country after the grace period, however, “will be restricted (from entering) the country for one to two years," she added. The labor chief also warned that illegal immigrants who will be apprehended after the grace period lapses will face large fines, deportation, and a ban on re-entry. Korean Immigration data showed that since the voluntary exit program began last May, the number of persons who availed of the program increased by 12 percent from last year. This prompted the Korean government to extend the program period until October 31. Records from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas show that in 2008, there were over 80,000 Filipinos in South Korea as of 2008, of which only some 7,000 were considered permanent residents.—Jerrie M. Abella/DM/JV, GMANews.TV