Garcia asks DMW to look into seasonal workers concern for South Korea

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has asked the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to strengthen the partnership between local government units of both South Korea and the Philippines.

This after the governor learned that direct hiring of Filipino workers to South Korea has long been halted because of the entry of brokers asking expensive fees before OFWs could be deployed.

Garcia expressed this concern to DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac during the latter's visit to the Capitol on March 7, 2024.

Garcia told Cacdac that there should be no recruitment of seasonal workers unless there is a formal contract between the LGUs of South Korea and LGUs of the Philippines where the OFW belong.

Garcia also asked South Korean Consul General Song Sewon to take action regarding this matter.

Under the Seasonal Workers Program, OFWs are hired to work in South Korea during the country's peak season.

The country lacks labor workers particularly in agricultural and fishery sectors causing the LGUs there to tap the Philippines.

Cacdac assured Garcia that the agency will look into the said concern and take actions.

“We will resolve all those issues so that the OFW seasonal workers from Cebu are better protected,” Cacdac said according to the Capitol Information Office. — (FREEMAN)