The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continues to monitor brokers acting as middlemen  between local government units (LGUs) and Filipinos aspiring to work as seasonal farm workers in South Korea. 

According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, the practice of brokers charging exorbitant fees to applicants has stopped since DMW intervened in the deployment of workers. However, he clarified that this does not mean that brokers have been completely eliminated. 

“That practice has stopped. But of course, that's not to say that there are still no brokers. That's why we demanded two DOJ [Department of Justice] cases from the court, so we are monitoring those cases,” Cacdac said 

He added that some brokers are Korean nationals who continue to approach applicants directly, offering loans with placement fees involved. 

“What happens is that the seasonal worker stays there for four to five months, and then for the next three months, they're paying off the broker,” Cacdac explained.

The Seasonal Worker Program allows Filipinos to work in South Korea’s agricultural sector for around five to eight months. This is facilitated through a partnership between LGUs in the Philippines and South Korea. 

Last year, DMW intervened and imposed an interim moratorium on the program until the agency could ensure that all deployments were made under its supervision.

This included processing workers through DMW, reviewing their contracts, and ensuring they have proper medical insurance. 

Around 8,000 workers have already been deployed for last year. 

Cacdac said the DOJ is currently handling around 25 cases involving illegal brokers.

“Two of them have matured into information filed in court… one in Davao and one in Bulacan,” Cacdac said.