SOUTH KOREA Seoul, the bitter return of the Thai ‘ghosts’

After the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the phenomenon of illegal workers from Thailand has grown again in South Korea. It is the effect of a labor market that needs manpower for industry and agriculture, but for political reasons imposes very strict restrictions on immigration that become a stimulus for illegality (and abuse).

Seoul () – It seemed that the pandemic and the fight against irregularities and abuses had effectively put an end to this phenomenon, but, on the contrary, the “little ghosts” returned to Seoul and in large numbers. This term is used to refer to Thais who, with the mirage of salaries several times higher than those of their country, try to emigrate to South Korea, which needs to supply labor for its industries, its agricultural production and a wide range of of services.

The awareness campaigns, the repatriation of emigrants detained for violating immigration or labor laws, not even the heavy hand of the police from both countries were not enough: as soon as the borders were reopened, the flow of Thais to the country of origin resumed. Far East, many times in organized excursions from which some later separate, letting their tourist visas expire and being at the mercy of exploitation, underemployment and abuse. It is above all women who suffer, since they are less in demand for the heavy and exhausting jobs that are often delegated to immigrants and, therefore, they are more easily dragged into the shadow of secrecy and are also directed towards activities that involve services of a sexual nature.

According to data released by the Seoul authorities, as of January 31, there were 2.41 million migrant workers in South Korea. Among them were 195,000 Thais, of whom it is estimated that slightly less than half did not have proper papers to reside and work.

The stringency of the rules imposed by the South Korean side helps explain why many Thais risk arrest, deportation and “blacklisting” of undesirables instead of regularly accessing the South Korean job market, as stipulated in intergovernmental agreements. Among the eligibility requirements for a list that entrepreneurs can choose from are being between the ages of 18 and 39 and passing a mandatory Korean language test. And after two years, if they are not summoned, they have to repeat the process.

On the other hand, potential South Korean employers are asked to sign up for the list only if they have been unable to get workers from their country and can document it; they must also be able to demonstrate their legitimacy, as well as the safety and quality of their workplaces.

Despite this, in practice, companies that regularly solicit workers from Thailand often break the law; In addition, there are organizations and companies that directly hire foreign labor through the web with costs ranging between the equivalent of 4,000 and 5,000 euros. For a Thai it is a heavy debt that, constantly increasing due to spending on food and accommodation, takes years to pay off. This leaves workers in the hands of unscrupulous employers, with the constant threat of being kicked out of the company or reported to the authorities.

Photo: Flickr/tigersigh