Illegal workers in Korea increase again

The rate of Vietnamese workers residing illegally in Korea has increased again to 34.5%, equal to 2018, after a period of cooling down due to the pandemic.

On November 24, a report from the Overseas Labor Center at the Workshop on Promoting Labor Export under Non-Profit Programs showed that in the first 9 months of 2023, the number of illegal residents was 34.5%, while the commitment rate with the Korean side this year was 28%.

In 2020, due to the impact of the pandemic, this rate dropped to 20%, and increased to 28% in 2022. Localities with high rates ranging from 33-37% include Hai Duong, Lang Son, Nam Dinh, and Vinh Phuc. Illegal residents are subject to the EPS Program - granting work permits to foreign workers in Korea.

Mr. Nguyen Gia Liem, Deputy Director of Overseas Labor Management (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) explained the decrease during the pandemic period when the production and recruitment needs of factories decreased. By 2023, the number of people working abroad will increase, production will return to normal, and businesses will have demand, so the rate of illegal residence will also increase.

"That means if there is demand, there will be supply, so workers often find ways to stay," he said.

An illegal Vietnamese worker working in a factory in South Korea in 2016. Photo: Tien Hung

The two sides have proposed many "anti-escape" measures, such as the Vietnamese side requiring workers to deposit 100 million VND; stop working abroad for 2-5 years; and limit Korean language proficiency tests. The Korean side stipulates that business owners who employ illegal foreign workers will be restricted from recruiting for 3 years; workers who violate the law can be imprisoned or fined 30 million won. Korea is also reviewing the recruitment quota for the following year for countries with many workers who have escaped to work abroad.

The efforts of both sides have helped reduce some of the number, but it is still higher than the commitment with South Korea. Vietnam has gradually reduced the number of localities where sending workers abroad is temporarily suspended, but this year there are still 8 districts in 4 provinces.

"Illegal workers are affecting the chances of their fellow countrymen leaving the country. Because some districts are on the temporary suspension list, many workers are waiting, not knowing when they will be able to leave, affecting their families and hometowns," said Mr. Bui Quoc Trinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Hai Duong.

Chi Linh City of Hai Duong is still on the list of temporarily suspended recruitment for work in Korea in 2023. The province still has 83 illegal workers residing in Korea. According to Mr. Trinh, these are workers exported in the previous period, familiar with the environment and have a network of relationships, so it is very difficult to persuade them to return home. He mentioned the fact that when the local authorities came to the house to talk with the family to persuade their children to return home, the relatives only said "the children are having a hard time".

He suggested that the Korean side have appropriate management solutions and gave an example of how Hai Duong manages more than 5,000 foreigners working in the area. When workers quit or terminate their contracts, employers must update the local authorities. If there is no notification and problems occur with the workers, that unit must take joint responsibility. The police also have data on foreign workers working here, so they can manage effectively.

Workers take the Korean language test in Hanoi to work in Korea under the EPS Program, May 2023. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Mr. Le Van Luong, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Yen Bai, said that most of the workers who go abroad have to borrow capital while their working term is only 3 years. With an income of nearly 40 million VND per month, after deducting living expenses and debt repayment, the remaining savings are several hundred million VND. Workers want to increase their income so they often find ways to sneak out to work.

Citing a field trip to Korea, Mr. Luong said that businesses there want to recruit workers for a long time. However, after the 3-year term, workers who are proficient in their jobs have to return home. The employer has to recruit new workers, which is costly and takes time for the new workers to get used to the job. Therefore, some businesses will create conditions for illegal workers to stay, both to get used to the job and to reduce recruitment costs.

"If working hours are extended, the absconding rate will decrease and also create conditions for businesses in your country to stabilize production," he said.

The experience of the Yen Bai labor sector in "fighting against escape" is to establish a group of contacts via social networks with commune leaders to grasp the situation. For any commune member who illegally resides abroad, the commune leader must visit the family to work and persuade the worker to return home on time.

Vietnam and Korea have more than 30 years of cooperation in labor supply and use. Workers mainly work under the EPS program, working in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries and shipbuilding. The salary is 36-40 million VND. Workers must pass two rounds of Korean language proficiency and skills tests. Launched in 2004, the program has so far sent more than 127,000 workers to work in Korea.

Hong Chieu

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