Irresponsible or misunderstood?
Not only does the return of illegal migrant workers from Daegu and North Gyeongsang of South Korea spark virus fears. It also raises questions as to how people should look at these returnees — economically and socially
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, all eyes are now on illegal migrant workers — or the so-called phi noi, or little ghosts — who returned from South Korea to Thailand. Like those travelling back from other high-risk countries, the authorities have asked all returnees to self-quarantine at home. Unfortunately, some ignored the request.
Following such an action, the internet has been full of fury as people start raising issues and questions about rights and responsibilities of citizenship, discrimination, social disparity or even the government’s weak measures especially following the return of those migrant workers to their homeland.
South Korea has become a popular holiday destination among Thai vacationers, while high salaries of up to 50,000 baht a month are luring an estimated 170,000 Thai migrant labourers to work illegally in the hope of enhancing the quality of their lives.
Yet is such a high income the only factor that attract Thai workers to the Land of Morning Calm?
Back in 2004, South Korea joined hands with 16 countries around Asia to set up the Employment Permit System (EPS), aiming to recruit more than 250,000 skilled migrant workers aged 18-39 to meet the labour shortage.
“South Korea has strong labour unions, so workers have the power to negotiate with private sectors for more pay or welfare. The stable government leads to higher economic growth and the development of society,” said women’s-rights activist Waaddao Chumaporn, who runs Together for Equality and Action.
“In South Korea, entrepreneurs are developing AI technology to replace humans, causing a labour shortage.”
Thailand is included in the list, with a quota of 5,000 labourers selected each year to work in four sectors — agriculture, construction, manufacturing and fishing. Passing the language-proficiency exam is the gateway to being a qualified work applicant, but there’s no guarantee for female workers to get the job because South Korean employers prefer hiring men. That is why workers find a shortcut in hunting for job opportunities out of the scheme.
Human rights activist Don Tajaroensuk explored the small town of Gwangju to conduct research on Thai illegal migrant workers in South Korea while studying at Channam National University between 2016 and 2018. He found that all workers want to escape poverty, and the hourly wage of 180 baht is tantalising bait.
“Most workers are in debt and want to save their land or houses. They have worked overseas to gain more income and send it back home. One thing we have to accept is that Thai culture always forces daughters to take care of all family members. That is why some people decide to become prostitutes, to earn more money,” Don said.
In South Korea, illegal migrant labourers are often hired to work in farms, construction sites, electrical appliance factories and restaurants because South Korea’s younger generation keeps away from these jobs. Meanwhile, they are paid less than those holding work permits.
“Passing the language proficiency test is one of the requirements to enter the EPS scheme. This becomes an important obstacle for workers. Not everyone can pay 9,500 baht to take a three-month Korean-language course with tutors. Sometimes, they spend a few years going through the process to receive work permits,” Don said.
Each year only 6,000 Thai workers take the Korean-language proficiency test to apply for work permits. In the past, the Ministry of Labour has provided a programme of free language courses, but Thai workers often choose pricey and quick courses, which promise shortcuts to pass the exam but do not really improve literacy skills.
To ensure safety and better benefits, Thai workers in the EPS scheme can take advantage of industrial accident insurance, employment insurance and health insurance under the standards of the National Health
Insurance Act. They are allowed to work in South Korea for three years and can renew their permits up to two times, for four years and 10 months per renewal.
“Most workers will find a job through agencies in Thailand and pay a commission. Some people directly connect to Korean employers through their friends or families who used to work there. It’s like we bought a lottery ticket. Nobody knows if you will meet a good or bad boss. Some work permit holders are still exploited by their employers. And it’s hard to change their job,” Don said.
“In South Korea, migrant workers can file an application for the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act on their own. So if they get work-related injuries, they can receive compensation. If they’re sick, they can go to the hospital because they have money to pay for treatment. No need to worry that they will be arrested.”
Don recounted that illegal workers have the freedom to go everywhere. All workers — both legal and illegal — are gathering to set up the bigger and stronger community. They often host festive events to maintain Thai traditions. This is the best way to boost unity. Meanwhile, many leading Korean mobile network operators and banks have also sponsored their activities.
“The workers learn to build a good relationship with local residents and adapt themselves to Korean culture. One day, I went to hang out at a karaoke-cum-restaurant and noticed a Korean employer enjoyed singing Thai songs. Thai labourers taught him. It was a great moment,” Don said.
“I found the case [of someone] who married a Korean farmer and learned to do business. She and her husband have planted Thai herbs and vegetables to supply Thai restaurants. She can earn up to 1 million baht a month.”
Surprisingly, not only grassroots but also new grads and skilled office workers are working illegally in South Korea. This is the way to prove themselves and earn much money for their families.
“Many new grads often travel as tourists but end up overstaying on a 30-day visa. Youngsters choose to leave their home and live overseas to prove themselves. Meanwhile, senior office workers aged 40-50 have no choice when they’re laid off. They need to raise their children. It’s hard to find a new job with salaries as high as they used to receive,” said Adisorn Kerdmongkol, a migrant worker advocate.
“South Korea is entering an ageing society, resulting in the labour market being widely opened. There’s room for the workforce in the manufacturing industry.”
Don points out that people need to understand everyone has different living conditions. The recent conflicts on social networks — blaming all these illegal migrant workers as irresponsible — reflect a social disparity between the middle-class group and grassroots. The middle-class earners just want to protect their safe zone. They just find a victim to take responsibility for unsecured situations.
“The middle class now doesn’t trust the government’s measures to contain the coronavirus spread, so they blame illegal workers instead. Little ghosts are claimed to have exploited other Thais because they don’t pay income tax. But in fact, their families have used their money to buy products. They pay 7% VATs [value-added taxes] like us and need to pay fees for international money transfers, which banks need to pay tax to the revenue department. That means the workers pay indirect tax.”
In Thailand, residents working overseas will pay personal income tax in case they reside in Thailand for more than 180 days. This includes income sources both from Thailand and the portion they bring to Thailand.
“The workers violate the law in South Korea not in Thailand. So the Ministry of Labour can’t help them if they suffer from work-related injuries or are exploited by employers. They need to take the risk on their own. However, money they send back home can boost the economy in their communities,” lawyer Kerdphol Kaewkerd said.
THE MIDDLE-CLASS NOW DOESN’T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD, SO THEY BLAME ILLEGAL WORKERS INSTEAD