(Social Welfare of the Migrant Worker)

1. Issues and Challenges for Cultural Diversity in North East Asia (Social Welfare of the Migrant Worker) Jong-Sam Park (DSW, DDS, THM) International Council on Social Welfare(ICSW), (President of North East Asia Region) World Vision Korea, (President & CEO)

2. Globalization: What does this mean? • A perception of globally integrated system of physical communication (telephone, internet, airline network, etc.) • Shared entertainment (film and TV; popular and classic music, sport) • Economic exchange and capital flows • Accelerating spread of ideas and of competing spiritual values Globalization: The Borderless World(Kennchi Ohmae, 1990) This view captures the sense of radical progress and modernity, and of life beyond the constraints of the traditional nation-state. Globalization:The Economic Perspective(David Henderson, 1999) The idea of globalization as a model of fully internationally integrated market as those meeting two conditions: • Free movement of goods, services, labor and capital; thus a single market in inputs and outputs; • Full national treatment for foreign investors (and national working overseas) so that, economically speaking, there are not foreigners. Globalization: A Mixture of Legal and Organizational categories Globalization essentially refers to mixture of international, multinational, offshore and global activities and involves general progression from the domestic to the global.(Richard O’Brien, End of Geography, 1992)

3. Globalization and Labor Movement International Migrants There is far less globalization in respect of labor movement. Despite fear in the West about millions of actual or potential immigrants, and creation of new ethic minorities in Western Europe, it cannot seriously be claimed that contemporary globalization has much do with labor movements. The only concerted attempt to create ‘National treatment’ for migrant workers has been within the EU single market. But realization of free movement has been very slow despite cross-border rights to welfare benefits, freedom from controls, some mutual recognition of qualifications and substantial wage differentials. At most 2 per cent of the world’s population live outside their country of origin. (Castler and Miller, 1993) And the total global flow of migrants (estimated at 25-30 million in the 1980, many of them temporary refugees) was 0.5 per cent of the World’s population. Globalization and Migrant Workers

4. Facts and Figures on International Migration No country of the world remains unaffected by international migration flows. They are all either countries of origin, transit or destination for migrants, or all three simultaneously. Like other flows, whether financial, commercial, or flows of information or ideas, the rising tide of people crossing frontiers is among the most reliable indicators of the intensity of globalization. At the start of the 21st century, one out of every 35 persons worldwide is an international migrant. The total number of international migrants is estimated at some 175 million persons. (2.9% of the world population) Some 48% of all international migrants are women. Over the last 35 years, the number of international migrants has more than doubled. International Migrants Migrants as percentage of total population by countries, 2000 Source : UN Population Division : International Migration 2004

5. Migrants stocks by World Region This list includes counties from all world regions: Germany (7.3 million), Ukraine (6.9 million), France (6.3 million), India (6.3 million), Canada (5.8 million), Saudi Arabia (5.3 million), Australia (4.7 million), Pakistan (4.2 million), United Kingdom (4.0 million), Kazakhstan (3.0 million), Cote d’Ivoire (2.3 million), Iran (2.3 million), Israel (2.3 million). Migrants stocks by Country The United States (35 million) and the Russian Federation (13.3 million) top the list of the 15 countries with the largest international migrant stocks in 2000. Immigration and Emigration Countries While all of the 10 major emigration countries between 1970 and 1995 were to be found in the developing world, not all of the 10 major immigration countries were developed countries.

6. Immigration and Emigration Countries Foreign Labor Force Over this period, the leading net immigration countries were the United States (16.7 million immigrants), the Russian Federation (4.1 million), Saudi Arabia (3.4 million) and India (3.3 million). Mexico (6.0 million emigrants), Bangladesh (4.1 million), and Afghanistan (4.1 million) were the main emigration countries. Among OECD countries, the highest numbers of foreign workers in 1999 were found in the United States (16.68 million), Germany (3.57 million), Australia (2.37 million), France (1.53 million), and the United Kingdom (1.1 million). The proportion of foreign workers in the labor force is highest in Luxembourg (57.3%), Australia (24.6%), Switzerland (18.1%), the United States (11.7%), Austria (10.02%), Germany (8.75%), and France (5.8%). Migrant Remittances For developing countries, migrant remittances continue to be a major source of national income. Worldwide, India (USD 11.5 billion), Mexico (USD 6.5 billion) and Egypt (USD 3.7 billion) received the largest amounts of money from their diaspora. However, due to its often informal character, the total volume of remittances is difficult to establish.

7. Highly Skilled Workers The United States (1999: 370,000 persons), Japan (2000: 129,000) and Canada (2000: 86,200) experienced the largest annual inflows of highly skilled workers among the world’s high-income countries. The United Kingdom (2000: 39,000), Australia (1999-2000: 30,000), and Germany (2000 2001: 11,800) followed.

8. Migrant Remittances Over the last 20 years, annual official Development Assistance and Foreign Direct Investment. For example, as a proportion of total financial inflows, remittances amounted to 66% in Morocco, 51% in Egypt and Tunisia, 35% in Cape Verde, 30% in Nigeria, and 27% in Benin and Burkina Faso.

9. Irregular Migration Irregular migration continues to be a complex phenomenon on which accurate and reliable data are not readily available. Some 700,000 to 2 million women and children are estimated to be trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 500,000 persons enter the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand illegally every year. Estimates of persons entering countries of the European Union by irregular means vary from 120,000 to 500,000 annually. People smuggling is a very lucrative business generating billions of USD in revenues every year. The fees paid to migrant smugglers increase proportionally to the distance covered between country of origin and destination. Globalization and Global Governance (Issues) What does Globalization means? Is it inevitable? And, if so, is it desirable? How does “the system”-the present network of formal and informal rules and institutions - actually work? What are the major gaps and deficiencies? What would be a practical agenda for international economic policy reform?

10. Global Variable Geometry The system of global governance that is emerging as a response to globalization is a complex, often ad hoc, set of rules regimes and institutions which go beyond traditional ideas of limited co-operation between nation states but so far fall short of a unified global system underpinned by global law enforcement. It is an untidy world with overlapping jurisdictions and competition between different kinds of rules and institutions. Author : Vincent Cable, 1999

11. Regionalism • Intergovernmental Clubs (OECD, the G7, UN, WTO, World Bank, etc.) • Regional Clubs (APEC, EU, NAFTA, TAP, ASEAN, etc.) • Functional Clubs (International Telelcome and Postal Union, etc.) Author : Vincent Cable, 1999

12. National Politics in a Global Economy • Economics may be increasingly global. Politics is still national. • The legitimacy of politicians resides essentially in their domestic electorates. (not in IMF, UN, WTO, EU) • There is a growing tension between deepening economic integration and the virtual absence of meaningful political integration in globalized world. National Politics and Globalization : Some Major Changes Effective global governance to cope with market failures and cross-border co-operation, Measure to ensure that the international public sector – institutions and regulators – are democratically accountable; A clear sense of subsidiary such that national (sub-national) politics enjoy maximum decentralization of decision making within global or regional rules. International Rules and National Sovereignty The traditional view of international relations can be caricatured as one of Solid nation-states interacting through trade or military alliances but without Significant loss of sovereignty (Bull, 1997) Globalization has, however, set in train a series of changes which shake to its Foundations the idea of the national state. The clear boundaries between ‘domestic’ and ‘foreign’ policies have been eroded.

13. International Rules and National Sovereignty Social Safety Net and the Migrant Worker in Korea • Large number of issues which were once seen as purely domestic are now influenced by events abroad: Tax levels and structures; Regulation of financial institutions; Social security system; Product and technical standards; Workers conditions; Ownership of utilities; Corporate governance and company law; Environmental protection; Competition policy; Government budget deficit; Education standard; Human rights. A more contentious area where there may be limits to national autonomy and Regulatory competition is in relation to ‘fair competition’. - Social Safety Net(SSN) is a social welfare system that protect people from ages, illness, unemployment, accidents and poverty. - It includes public social welfare support and four major social insurances.(National pension, Medical insurance, Unemployment insurance, Workers’ accidents compensation insurance) - Social Safety Net of the migrant workers is a social welfare system, facilities and services that protect well-being of the migrant workers. - The migrant workers as members of Korean society, their well-being should be protected through SSN. As workers and residents of Korean society, their basic welfare rights must be guaranteed as basic human right.

14. Social Safety Net and the Migrant Worker in Korea - In Korea, the migrant workers are not covered by SSN. - Though accident compensation insurance is covered and medical insurance is partially covered for the migrant workers, they are totally excluded from the benefits for national pension, unemployment compensation program, public working, loan working, job training as well as other public aid programs. - By the end of 1980s, the migrant workers in Korea were suffering from unbearable burdens(delayed wage payment, industrial accidents, physical abuse at workplace, sexual abuse, etc.) and their basic human rights were grossly violated. - Many NGOs and religious group as well as voluntary citizen’s groups were organized for advocating the migrants’ human rights, workers’ rights as well as welfare rights. - Social Welfare Program of the migrant workers finally drew the attention of government as well as the civic society. - By the end of 2003, the number of organizations supporting the migrant workers were amount to 159. Religious Organization-137 Citizen’s Human Right Movement Organization-8 Labor Movement Organization-3 Medical Service Organization-8 Legal Service Organization-3

15. Social Service Delivery System Government Organization (GO) Religious Organization Labor Organization Non- Government Organization (NGO) Types of Job for the Migrant Workers Factory Worker Construction Worker Fisher or Marine Product Industry Worker Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock Worker Restaurant Kitchen, Dish Washing, Waiter Nursing, Care-worker Housekeeper, Maid Waiter/Waitress at the Bar Others

16. Some Difficulties of the Migrant Workers(Workplace) Long Working Hours Poor Working Condition Occupational Disease Injury at Workplace Overdue Wages Low Wages Fast Work Speed • Conflict with Korean Workers • Conflict with Korean Supervisor • Mockery or Insults in Workplace • Body Search in Workplace • Physical Assault • Sexual Harassment • Rape or Sexual Violation Social Life Problems of the Migrant Workers Food Clothing Lodging Financial Problems Marital Problems Health Issues Climate or Weather Language and Communication Cultural Difference Exploitation by Brokers The Main Reason for the Migrant Workers to visit the Center To consult some problems To meet friends or acquaintances To get job information To get medical services 5. To participate in religious activities 6. To get educations 7. Others

17. Activities of the Center for Migrant Workers • Events(Picnic, Camp, Athletic Activities. Etc.) • Medical Services • Consulting Problems on the Labor Problems and Immigration Difficulties • Korean Language Education • Computer Education • Industrial Safety Education Sex Education Shelter Service Supporting Migrant Workers’ Community Inducing Labor Union’s Support for Migrant Workers Meeting for the International Marriage Family Day Care Service for Migrant Worker’s Children. Reintegration Program for Returning Home Country Establishment of Sisterhood Relationship between Migrant Workers and Koreans Publishing Newsletter/Newspaper Solidarity with other Centers for Migrant Workers in Korea Solidarity with other Centers for Migrant Workers in Foreign Countries Advocacy for Reforming the Foreign Labor Policy of Korean Government Missionary Work Co-op for Migrant Workers Research Projects on Foreign Workers

18. Consulting Activities of the Center for Migrant Workers Violence or Outrage on the Migrant Workers Rape or Sexual Abuse Referral Service Death Cases Refund of Airfares Retirement Allowance • Overdue Wages • Medical Services • Industrial Accidents • Fine Policy for Illegal Aliens • Shelter • Legal Advice Korean NGO Advocacy Movement for Welfare Right of Migrant Workers - Beginning 1991, Korea began to import migrant labor from other countries. - Korea had been one of the manpower exporting countries in the 1960s and 1970s during its industrial development stage. - By the end of 80s, the so-called 3D(Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous) manufacturing companies were faced with the manpower shortage. - Thus, the migrant workers have been imported officially under “Industrial Trainee System”. - Many migrant workers from Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa and Russia came to Korea to capture “Korean Dream”.

19. Korean NGO Advocacy Movement for Welfare Right of Migrant Workers • Disclosure of inhumane treatment of the migrant workers at the workplace, and passive approach to the problems on the part of Government, many human right activists and religious leaders took initiatives in supporting the helpless migrant workers, and organizing themselves to become active agents of relief, development and advocacy for the human rights (welfare rights and basic workers’ rights) of the migrant workers. Strategies that these activist groups employed are in accordance with “ a core agenda for labor migration policy” (ILO activities with governments and social partners) comprises seven basic components: 1) Applying international standards to protect the basic rights of all migrants 2) Monitoring migration and the conditions of migrant workers 3) Consulting social partners and other stakeholders 4) Developing coherent national policies and measures on labor migration, based on ILO principles 5) Enhancing administrative capacities for managing migration 6) Preventing discrimination and facilitating the social and economic integration of immigrants 7) Engaging in regional and international dialogue and cooperation.

20. Korean NGO Advocacy Movement for Welfare Right of Migrant Workers 5.Two big challenges with managing social welfare for the migrant workers are 1) to increase possibilities for regular legal migration 2) to try to find ways to reduce illegal migration. • Social welfare service activities by voluntary organizations supporting the migrant workers have been carefully researched, evaluated by Korean government with the help of the stakeholders. - The results of the study will become some basic information upon which Korean government and civic society will design the social welfare programs for the migrant workers, especially those who will be invited to work in Korea. - It is estimated that there are 406,000 foreign residents in Korea, majority of them are the migrant workers, of whom 60% are undocumented migrant workers living under fear of being arrested and deported. -This would concern people who try to enter without permission, overstay their visas, use the services of smugglers or seek to stay through illegal means. - Irregular migrant workers are most vulnerable for in humane treatment and exploitations.

21. Task of Central and Local Government for Assisting the Migrant Workers • Re-enforcement of Basic Labor Law and Supervision of the employers of the Migrant Workers • Prevention and Solution of Irregular Practice of Employment Agency • Solution of Labor Problems(Industrial Injuries, Overdue Payment, etc.) Creation of Special Agency(Department) for the Migrant Worker Reform the Existing Law affecting the Migrant Worker Securing Basic Labor Right for the Migrant Worker Upgrading Selection Standard of the Migrant Worker Management of Demand/Supply Workforce Effective Management of the Migrant Worker Tasks of Local Government for the Migrant Work Change Negative Attitude of Community People toward the Migrant Worker and Acceptance of the Migrant Worker as Members of Local Community Social Welfare Policy Formation and Providing Social Service for the Migrant Worker Reform Medical Insurance System as well as Social Welfare System Increase Supportive Program for the Welfare of the Migrant Worker Support the Migrant Workers’ Events in the Community Support the Organization of the Migrant Worker

22. Task of the Ministry of Law for the Migrant Workers • Simplify Legal System for Residing in Korea, Processes of Entry/Departure of Immigration Office • Humane Treatment of the Migrant Worker and Prevention of Problems caused by International Employment Agency • Prevention and Control of Illegal Activities Offering Convenience for the Migrant Worker to Visit Homeland Regularly Providing Basic Information on Korean Life and Basic Education on Basic Korean Law Remission of past Illegal-stay in Korea Legislation of Unbiased Law affecting Migrant Worker Prevention of Illegal Stay Severe Punishment of Irregular Practice of Employers Korean NGO Advocacy Movement for Welfare Right of Migrant Workers - Many forms of social actions were taken systematically by the activist groups including appealing the migrants’ human right violation cases to higher courts. - Responses from general public and politicians were positive. ` - Several meaningful laws protecting the migrant workers’ rights were legislated, and amended.

23. Korean NGO Advocacy Movement for Welfare Right of Migrant Workers -Thanks to the efforts of the migrant advocacy group, quite recently “employment permit system” is put into practice. -Under the new system, Korea plans to admit 25,000 migrant workers this for manufacturing, farming, and construction jobs from six countries; the Philippines, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. - Another 38,000 foreigners are expected come in under industrial trainee scheme. “Mr. Brunson McKinley, director general of the International Organization for Migration” made the following comments; “Korea is ahead of other countries in ‘importing’ labor and in trying to be best organized to receive migrant in a legal and sensible way.” “There is a lot to learn from (here). I’d say the employment permit system that Korea is beginning to put into place is a very interesting and important effort.”

24. Thank you very much!