Korean visa over-stayers not given fresh visas

A group of workers who were granted amnesty and deported from the Republic of South Korea (RSK) for over-staying in that country complain that although they were promised re-entry into that country, their applications had been rejected.

It is learned that the group comprising around 200 workers with masonry and fishing skills from rural Sri Lanka have had their applications turned down.

The group had overstayed in RSK for around 3 years and had been deported to Sri Lanka in 2016. They complain their application for work visas to that country had been rejected.

According to the group, they had spent around Rs.30,000/- on learning the Korean language as well as on the training provided by the SLBFE for prospective workers to RSK. Despite this they added, at the visa stage their applications were rejected.

It is learnt that it costs around Rs. 25,000/- to sit the exams each year and only 2,000 candidates get selected.

P. S. Myura Sanjeewa ( 27) a young man among those whose application for visa were turned down said that the RSK had issued a printed communique to all returnees assuring that the workers would be allowed to re-enter Korea.

Employment in Korea is part of an agreement between the governments of RSK and Sri Lanka.

The SLBFE, the implementing agent, conducts the examination to qualify for the jobs.

Aspiring workers spend around Rs. 15,000 to study the Korean Language and another Rs. 15,000 for the training provided by the SLFBE.

Successful candidates are chosen through a transparent employment permit system (EPS) by RSK.

Mr. D. D. P Senanayake Deputy General Manager ( Approval and Recruitment) SLBFE, responding to queries by Sunday Times, said the SLBFE is unable to interfere in the matter of selection as selection of candidates lies with the RSK government. ‘ We cannot challenge them,’ he said.

He added however, that the former workers could hand in complaints which would be looked into.