[Editorial] In undocumented worker debate, we must look at our own past

Posted on : 2007-03-31 14:48 KST Modified on : 2007-03-31 14:48 KST

The sasipgujae, a ritual event that originated in Buddhism taking place 49 days after a person has been deceased, will be held tomorrow for those who died in the fire at the Yeosu foreigner detention center. It will be a time when people remember the ten foreigners who lost their lives on February 11 in a detention center that was more like a prison, to demand an end to crackdowns and deportations that abuse human rights, and to call for the legalization of undocumented migrant laborers.

Those attending the ceremony will not be the only voices calling for Korea to reflect upon itself and make some changes. Because of what happened in Yeosu, on March 20 the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Migrant Workers called on the country to enact measures to protect migrants. Amnesty International sent president Roh Moo-hyun an open letter calling for compensation and measures to protect migrant rights.

The way migrant workers are treated in this land is like a sharp thorn piercing the national conscience. The more they are ignored, the greater the pain and the deeper the wound. We are also doing something for ourselves if we take notice of their troubles. We should no longer make migrants leave Korea bleeding and shedding tears.

Now we learn that the Ministry of Justice is working on a plan to grant undocumented migrant workers legal status. The idea would be to allow people to return to Korea within a given period if they are from countries with memorandums of understanding based on Korea's new system of working permits for foreign workers. Should such a procedure be adopted, it would mean about 35 percent of the 200,000 undocumented migrant workers (according to ministry figures) in the country would benefit. Korea is soon likely to sign such a memorandum of understanding with China, so the amount of these 200,000 workers who would benefit would approach 80 percent.

It might be a good plan for legalization if undocumented individuals are positively guaranteed re-entry. However, several things need to be done to this proposal. To migrants who have lived in Korea for a long time, Korea is their second home. It is never easy to move your home base, so the period they are required to stay away before returning should be kept as brief as possible. Those who have been in Korea an especially long time should have other family members residing in Korea with them exempted from the requirement to temporarily leave the country. That consideration would be accepted as recognition for these workers’ contributions to our economy. In addition, the country should have a plan for the remaining 20 percent of undocumented migrants who would not qualify for legalization. They must not be discriminated against all over again for having a different status than the others.

If the country is going to pursue legalization for undocumented migrants, it should avoid obsessing over minor issues that would ruin the whole idea behind the move. We, too, have a history of emigration in which many among us left for unknown lands in order to make a living. If we give warm concern for those who have come to this land in similar circumstances, they, too, will respond in kind by working hard, just as our emigrants once did.



Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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