Imagine your food being produced by migrant agricultural workers who are trafficked and work in forced labour conditions. It’s what’s happening in South Korea. Help us stand by those who grow food and rear animals by taking action to pressure the South Korean government to end the exploitative labour migration policies and practices.
Large number of migrant agricultural workers in South Korea are subjected to abusive conditions in the workplace and deprived of certain labour protections due to the current restrictions and deterrents in the Employment Permit System (EPS).
Amnesty International documented how migrant agricultural workers often work excessive hours and are subject to unpaid wages, denial of rest days, discrimination and physical assault. The majority have severe restrictions placed on their ability to change jobs. When migrants try to complain to the authorities or change jobs, they often face threats of dismissal or deportation from their employers. Instead of protecting the rights of migrant workers, the EPS work scheme creates unfair hurdles and restrictions, which contribute to the human and labour rights abuses of migrant agricultural workers.
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Minister of Employment and Labour
Dear Minister of Employment and Labour,
I am writing to you to ensure that migrant workers, are not subject to abuse and exploitation, including forced labor. Therefore, I call on you to:
Repeal article 63 of the Labour Standards Act and ensure that the rights which the Act protects, in particular in respect to work hours, daily breaks and weekly paid rest days, are extended to all workers, including migrant workers, irrespective of which sector they work in;
Ensure that all migrant agricultural workers are paid the full overtime rate for any work performed outside the regulated hours, as set out in article 56 of the Labour Standards Act;
Permit all EPS workers to change jobs without having to obtain a release form from their employer; and
Amend article 99 of the Labour Standards Act and relevant subsidiary regulations to clearly establish what constitutes adequate food and accommodation, and ensure regular inspections of these facilities.
Thank you