VP Binay: South Korean hotels keen on hiring migrant workers

South Korean offiicals are considering relaxing immigration laws for migrant workers, particularly for the hotel and restaurant industry, Vice President Jejomar Binay said.   Binay told some 1,000 Filipinos at St. Benedict's Church in Seoul Sunday that Korean traders informed him of the plan to ease immigration requirements.   "Marami pong mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na makapaghanapbuhay dito, lalo na sa nagtapos ng hotel and restaurant management," Binay, the concurrent Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Concerns, said in a news release. Binay noted that there are some 50,000 Filipinos living in South Korea, most of them falling under the Employment Permit System.   Binay is in Seoul to attend the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit as the representative of President Benigno Aquino III. Binay is also in Korea to attend the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea.   He added the plan to relax immigration requirements is part of South Korea's preparations for the hosting of the Asian games in 2013.   Binay also reassured the Filipino community the Philippines is in continuous discussions with the South Korean government to help find solutions to problems encountered by Filipino immigrants and OFWs.   “Hindi kayo nag-iisa sa pagharap sa inyong mga suliranin. Kasama ninyo ang inyong pamahalaan dito. Patuloy ang pakikipag-usap ng ating pamahalaan, sa pamamagitan ng ating embahada dito, sa mga kinaukulan sa Korea,” he said.   Binay also noted a law was recently passed in South Korea to ensure the speedy processing of documents of returning workers.   He added a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.   “Layon ng MOU na ito na mas mabigyan ng proteksyon ang mga Pilipino na kasal sa Koreano,” he said. - VVP, GMA News