S Korea recruits workers under permit system

In the fourth batch of official labour recruitment, a total of 50 Myanmar workers are soon going to South Korea through the state-owned overseas-employment agency.

These workers have successfully passed both the Korean Language qualification tests and health check-ups in July, and they will work in Korea.

Meanwhile, they have to sign an agreement with Myanmar’s Labour Ministry, and deposit 3 million kyats (US$3,500) against fleeing the job before the employment contract ends.

But they will enjoy reduced service fees from the employment agency as the government recently lowered it from 800,000 kyats  to 600,000 kyats (US$952-$714) per worker. According to the agency, some 2,400 people had passed the qualification tests, but only 90 of them were shortlisted. Then, 50 were employed and the rest told that they would be taken on soon. 

“To work in Korea, one must pass the language and medical tests. But not everybody who passes will be recruited. Only those shortlisted by the Korean side will be,” said Win Myint, managing director of the agency.

This is the fourth time in two years that South Korea has recruited Myanmar workers after signing a bilateral labour agreement in 2010. Now that the agreement has come to an end, Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security is going to sign a new agreement with South Korea’s Labour Ministry this month.

“We have no plans to send female workers. The number of employees recruited is also limited as most recruiting firms are small. We need to have a pact that female workers will not be made maid servants. Otherwise, they may not be safe,” Win Myint said.