The Ministry of Employment and Labor on April 17 signed a memorandum of understanding on boosting the rights of migrant workers with four pro-labor organizations at the Seoul Regional Office of Employment and Labor. Shown are migrant workers at a flower farm in Deogyang-gu District of Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap News)
By Hong Angie
Cooperation between the public and private sectors is being reinforced to protect the rights and interests of migrant workers in the country and spread a culture of respect for labor.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor on April 17 concluded a memorandum of understanding on improving the rights and interests of migrant workers with the Public Workers Solidarity Foundation, Korea Financial Industry Foundation, Finance and Service Ubuntu Fund, and Chun Tae-il Foundation at the Seoul Regional Office of Employment and Labor.
With the number of such workers at 1.1 million, the agreement defines migrant workers as not just providers of labor but as economic and industrial partners while focusing on the spread of a genuine culture of respect in the workplace.
Among the initiatives of both sides under the deal include a "calling name campaign" in which workers write their names on safety helmets and call each other by name. Another is improvement of basic living conditions by providing winter gear and printing menus in the workers' native languages.
Migrant workers will also receive stronger protection. The ministry will expand its guidance, inspection and counseling systems to prevent human rights violations and enhance related training for employers.
An integrative support roadmap for foreign workers will seek to launch a comprehensive safety network covering areas ranging from employment support to work safety.
"A change in the social perception of migrant workers as colleagues and community members is the starting point for protecting their rights and interests," Minister of Labor and Employment Kim Young Hoon said. "We will complete an integrated support system with no blind spots to protect foreign workers."
shong9412@korea.kr