As the world becomes global, we can see foreigners easily. Above all, foreigners who emigrate to other countries to earn money are continuously increasing. 20 million people around the world move to other counties with the purpose of immigration or work. However, experts think that there are more unofficial foreigners. You probably feel the increase of the number of foreign workers. How do you view foreign workers?
  Most foreign workers work in a bad environment. They work in the manufacturing industry(65.1%), the construction industry(18%), the agriculture and dairy industry(9.8%) and the fishing industry(6.8%). It means that they work in so called ‘3D industries’. IOM Migration Research Training Center carried out a survey about foreign workers. The survey showed that 34.5% of foreign workers responded that there is discrimination toward foreign workers. Wang Hyo pyong(Chinese, 31), who is working in food factory located in Chungwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, said, “When I first started working in Korea, there was a delay of getting wages and discrimination.” Also, foreign workers aren’t protected by industrial laws. The Employment Permit System was implemented to ensure that foreign workers get a fair deal in 2004. However, they cannot change jobs because of ‘Regulation of Workplace Relocation’. They must be allowed to change jobs. Many people mentioned that this regulation is ‘modern slavery’. In Germany, the Foreign Workers Employment Policy has been implemented in different ways from the 1970’s. As a result, foreign workers are treated the same as domestic workers. Moreover, Germany accepts foreign workers through its Social International Policy.
  If foreign workers didn’t work in Korea, a lot of companies in Korea would close. It is keenly necessary to change the negative view toward foreign workers and to revise the law to protect foreign workers.

Does your country give better treatment to foreign workers?

Gael(Rwanda, Male): Those who come to work legally get better treatment.
Liu Tian(Chinese, Female): In China, foreign workers are treated better than domestic workers. As previously stated, China wants professional workers, so they must be treated a lot better.

Is there discrimination against foreign workers in your country?

Gael(Rwanda, Male): There is no discrimination in my country at all.
Liu Tian(Chinese, Female):I think there is no discrimination in China.

Do you think that prejudice against foreign workers is decreasing in your country?

Gael(Rwanda, Male): I think that prejudice is decreasing because nowadays many workers understand their rights more than before.
Liu Tian(Chinese, Female): Yes, nowadays there is a change, because many companies don’t have discrimination between foreign workers and domestic workers. Companies give a priority to ability.

Are there any problems related to foreign workers in your country?

Gael(Rwanda, Male): I think some companies don’t pay them on time due to different issues, but that problem is not common in my country.
Liu Tian(Chinese, Female): There isn’t a big problem, but I think that domestic workers will probably avoid working in a bad environment. So, China established a long-term policy about this matter.
 

By Seo Su-bin
sb35@cbnu.ac.kr