S Korean embassy urged to issue visas for OFWs

Two senators called on the Korean embassy in Manila on Tuesday to immediately lift eh suspension of the processing and issuance of work visas to Korea-bound Filipino workers. In separate press statements, Senators Manuel Villar Jr. and Manuel Roxas II chided the embassy for its decision to stop issuing work visas to Korea-bound Filipinos as a retaliatory move on complaints of alleged extortion to Korean businessmen by Philippine immigration agents. The Korean Embassy in Manila unilaterally stopped processing and issuing visas to Filipino workers beginning July 16, with an announcement posted at the embassy. “It is most unfair that innocent OFWs bear the brunt of the brazenness of immigration misfits who have victimized a number of Korean nationals," Villar said. For his part, Roxas said that while South Korea’s sovereign right to grant or deny visa applicants must be respected, it is “unfortunate that the sincere desire and right to work of Filipino workers is being used as leverage to hasten government action against the alleged extortion activities of a few faceless and nameless immigration agents." “The more sober and appropriate approach would be for the Korean Embassy to bring such complaints to the immediate attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs," Roxas said. Lauding the Department of Foreign Affairs for its prompt action to the suspension of visa issuance to Filipino workers, Villar urged the Bureau of Immigration to immediately address the Korean embassy’s concerns since the issue involves BI personnel whose offenses carry far-reaching consequences including the derailment of the chances of OFWs for lucrative work abroad. Villar called on the DFA to continue its push on the issue in order to finally lift the suspension and to enable Filipino workers to obtain their working visas without further delay. “The DFA fully understands the situation and I am confident that this issue will be resolved swiftly in order to serve and protect the interests of our OFWs awaiting their visas," he said. After a long discussion with officials of the DFA Monday afternoon, Korean consul-general Hong Sungmog apologized for not going through diplomatic channels in ventilating the complaints of Korean businessmen. As of Tuesday, the Korean Embassy has not issued any announcement on the resumption of issuance of visas to Filipino workers bound for South Korea. The workers leave for Korea under the government-to-government employment program known as the Employment Permit System (EPS) where the POEA screens and deploys overseas job applicants without charging placement fees. Roxas noted that Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has already promised to investigate alleged extortion activities by immigration personnel. The new leadership of the immigration bureau, he said, should be given ample time to investigate the complaints and introduce reforms in the bureau. “I urge the Korean Embassy to reconsider its decision and to spare innocent workers from what appears to be just a slight misunderstanding. Good neighbors need not resort to such tactics," Roxas said. Non-issuance of visas to legitimate workers demeans the historic friendship between the two countries, he added. Roxas recalled that the Philippines was the only Asian country to send troops to defend South Korea during the Korean War. Korean pro-democracy students sought refuge in the country when their country was in turmoil. He said the historic alliance and long friendship between the two countries should be nurtured and maintained. “That is why it is important to make full use of diplomatic channels to resolve the concerns of Korean nationals staying in the country," he stressed. Roxas observed that Korean restaurants and stores continue to flourish in many places in the Philippines. Korean students are also being tutored or are enrolled in schools and colleges around the country. He likewise cited the immense contributions of Filipino workers to the Korean economy. These are signs of a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship. Since August 2004, when the labor ministers of both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding, around 17,695 Filipinos have found employment in South Korea, mostly as factory workers. For 2007, around 12,000 workers are expected to work in Korea under the EPS. The quota for Filipino workers is not completely met due to a strict requirement for Korea-bound workers to pass a language test. - GMANews.TV