Pinoys in Korea face job loss

Some 12,800 Filipino workers in South Korea are likely to lose their jobs and face forcible repatriation as Seoul launches a crackdown on undocumented foreign workers.

The Migrante International (MI) said the South Korean government has implemented since March a voluntary registration program for unauthorized foreigners, requiring illegal entrants to voluntarily leave the country or face arrest.

"There is fear that this scheme is being used to justify the systematic arrest and deportation of undocumented workers," said MI secretary-general Poe Gratela.

He said they are lobbying for a suspension of the crackdown which he said is a suppression of the overseas workers’ rights to travel and assembly. –Mayen Jaymalin