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Do No Wrong to the Stranger for You were once Strangers Yourselves A Statement on Foreign
Workers, July 29, 1993 The Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea would like make clear its position on the problems of foreign migrant workers in Korea, based on universal fraternal love and human rights. We believe that developed countries should make humanitarian efforts to protect and promote human dignity and overcome all kinds of human rights violations. We appeal to all people of good will but especially to employers and government authorities. 1. Currently the number of illegal workers employed in Korea is about 64,000. They are mainly from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, but it is estimated that the majority are ethnic Koreans from China. Most of them come to Korea on a visitor’s visa that they obtained by paying exorbitant sums of money to brokers (US$1,500 to US$3,000). When their visas expired they stayed on as illegal workers. Many of their difficulties arise from language, food and culture. Their work is dirty and dangerous, working long hours with low pay. Not only that but their activities are restricted because their employers hold their passports. Because they are so-called illegals they do not receive compensation in the event of industrial accidents. Often they do not receive their wages. If they are not registered they face deportation by the authorities concerned as well as payment of a heavy fine. If they cannot afford to pay the fine, they are detained in a special detention center. Frequently people consider illegal foreign workers as taking job opportunities from Korean people and think that they are deprived of legal protection because they are illegal. But we believe that the principal of human rights should be respected in all places and in all circumstances. In treating the problems of foreign workers we need a well-matched mature citizens’ consciousness and conscious solidarity with the global family. In the past as well as today, many Korean people have gone and still go to the United States, Canada, Japan and Germany as migrant workers or to earn money. It is in communion with all nations and by cooperation for the development of people that the new Korea can be achieved. If we insist merely on our own interest while ignoring these important aspects we will have to face being called "economic animals" and will gradually be isolated from the global community. 2. Today the movement of labor between nations is a common phenomenon in this present time. We expect our government to establish and put into effect, as soon as possible, a suitable policy concerning foreign workers. Above all the enticement of foreign workers to Korea and exploitation by brokers must be stopped. Care must be taken to ensure adequate living conditions so that they can lead a more human life in a mutual relationship as a duty and right. Recognition must be given to the positive contribution they are making to the Korean economy by protecting them by law instead of abandoning them, causing more serious problems in the future. As it was reaffirmed in the recent Vienna Conference on Human Rights, the protection of human rights is a duty of all nations. Among the main human rights’ abuses that foreign workers face are industrial accidents, unpaid wages and violence in the work place. Since foreign workers are mainly employed in small scale industries with poor working conditions, they are often injured during work and sometimes even killed. However, the Labor Department will not give them compensation because they are illegal workers. Compensation for industrial accidents has to do with the right to life which is a natural right and not something that a government can give or take away. Thus the nation has a responsibility to faithfully protect the rights and duties of workers with regard to industrial accidents which have already occurred. This is so even if the special domain of government is making policies to prevent opportunities for illegal employment. Therefore the policy of dealing with unpaid wages of foreign workers must be paid for industrial accidents. The protection policy (3.30) of the Labor Department to tighten labor inspection in companies with regard to overdue wages and compensation for occupational accidents must be implemented. 3. Another serious human rights violation is manipulating workers as means of production or as instruments of economic profit. We urge employers not to treat them only as employees but to consider them as genuine partners in the production process. An economy first mentality and inhuman acts such as beating, physical violence and unpaid wages are all violations of human rights and they undermine not only trust in employers but also in all Korean people. Helping with language problems, being concerned for their welfare and taking preventive measures against industrial accidents are natural duties of employers. We hope that a just and sincere relationship between management and labor will be realized. 4. The Catholic church is called to work for human rights and the dignity of people on the individual and collective levels. It must witness to its original image as a community of friendship, service and sharing. We invite you all to share universal love with foreign workers in the workplace, in the church and on the street especially with those in distress. Let us welcome the strangers who are far from their homeland and family as many of our people are strangers in foreign countries and we too, are pilgrims in this world. Let us help them so that they can live with dignity as children of God. We pray for all who are committed to improve human rights and work for a better world in a spirit of universal solidarity. |