The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is continuing to monitor brokers acting as intermediaries between Philippine local government units (LGUs) and Filipinos seeking seasonal farm work in South Korea.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the intervention of the agency has stopped brokers from charging exorbitant fees to applicants. However, he clarified that brokers have not been entirely eliminated from the process.

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

Cacdac cited that some brokers are South Korean nationals who directly approach applicants, offering loans that include placement fees.

“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,” the DMW chief said.

According to the DMW, the Seasonal Worker Program allows Filipinos to work in South Korea’s agricultural sector for approximately five to eight months. The program is facilitated through partnerships between LGUs in the Philippines and South Korea.

Last year, the DMW implemented an interim moratorium on the program to ensure all deployments were under its supervision. This included processing workers through the DMW, reviewing contracts and ensuring proper medical insurance.

Around 8,000 workers were deployed last year.