Gov. Gwen Garcia has called on the Department of Migrant Workers to stop recruitment of seasonal workers going to South Korea unless there is an existing contract between South Korea and Cebu or any other local government unit where the seasonal workers come from.
This was the suggestion of Gov. Garcia in light of reports the Capitol received that some Cebuano Overseas Filipino Workers were charged exorbitant fees by recruitment agencies or brokers.
Under its Seasonal Workers Program, South Korea has allowed the legal entry of Filipino OFWs to fill labor shortages in the agricultural and fishery sectors during peak season by directly hooking Philippine LGUs and their South Korean counterparts.
Yet, the governor was told that direct hiring done between Philippine and South Korean LGUs is no longer implemented because of the entry of brokers who are asking expensive fees before OFWs are deployed to South Korea.
In a meeting with DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac on March 5, the governor has also asked South Korean Consul General Song Sewon to take necessary actions to correct the anomalous transactions.
Usec. Cacdac welcomed the suggestion of the governor and agreed to partner with the Capitol in terms of developing engagement policies, especially in recognizing the need for proper agreements between Philippine and South Korean LGUs.
“As we mentioned to the good governor, that is music to our ears to do away with the broker system,” Usec Cacdac told Sugbo News. “We will resolve all those issues so that the OFW seasonal workers from Cebu are better protected,” he added.
Usec Cacdac was also joined by DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara, Atty. Rosemarie Duquez of DMW Central Office, and DMW 7 director Atty. Karl Arriola; as well as Bureau of Immigration Senior Immigration Officer Atty. Brandon Enad. | Babie Jane Revecoy