Pinoy caregivers extend SoKor service

Nearly 90 Filipino caregivers under South Korea’s pilot program have opted to extend their stay for another year, according to reports from a South Korean news outlet on 4 March.

Of the 98 caregivers who completed the first phase of the program, which ran from 3 September to 28 February, only nine chose to return to the Philippines, resulting in 89 caregivers continuing to serve South Korean households.

Korean authorities confirmed that these caregivers will be granted an additional three-year extension, following their initial seven-month contract.

The remaining caregivers will now serve 148 households, a decrease from 185. To date, 102 households are on the waiting list to join the program. The program has also expanded to other districts, Mapo, Gangseo and Guro.

Starting in March, Filipino caregivers under the program will receive a 20 percent pay increase, bringing their hourly wage to KRW 16,800 (approximately P660).

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Felicitas Bay confirmed on 5 March that the two workers returned to the Philippines shortly after they were located.

In other developments, eight Filipinos were reportedly arrested following an operation in Kwai Chung by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) on 4 March for allegedly engaging in illegal work.

According to Hong Kong authorities, the arrested individuals — consisting of seven Filipino men and one woman aged between 34 to 60 — were found performing transport and packaging tasks in an industrial building during the raid.

Six of the men were reportedly holders of recognizance forms, which prohibit them from engaging in any form of employment, while the woman was identified as a former domestic worker who had overstayed her visa.

The ImmD cited that visitors are not allowed to take employment in the country without prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

“Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of HK$ 50,000 (approximately P368,000) and up to two years’ imprisonment,” said the ImmD in a statement. Employers who will also opt to hire unauthorized workers will have to pay higher penalties with a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of HK$500,000.

The arrested individuals will undergo an initial screening to be conducted by the ImmD to identify if they are trafficking in persons victims.