Kyle Aliaz used to be a factory worker in South Korea, but the COVID-19 pandemic caught up with him when he returned to the Philippines for vacation.
So far, Aliaz has been a tricycle driver to earn money, but he hopes to return to South Korea.
“Masakit po ‘yon kasi ‘yong pinaghirapan mo nang limang taon sa Korea, medyo nauubos-ubos na,” said Aliaz.
Aliaz allegedly talked to his employer in South Korea and told him that he would wait to return to that country.
June 2020, when South Korea suspended the issuance of E-9 visas to foreign workers due to the pandemic.
About 2,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have not returned to their jobs, and 2,000 new hires have been forced to leave.
But the South Korean labor minister recently confirmed plans to admit foreign workers gradually.
“Ayon sa latest information na inilabas ng Korean government by the end of this month, ibig sabihin bago po magtapos ang November 2021, they will start accepting again foreign workers including Filipinos,” said hilippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia.
This is good news for returning workers, but new hires like Kim Basañes are worried.
“‘Yong pinangangambahan ko po is ‘yong company ko po is mag-cancel ng kontrata niya sa akin kasi hindi na po sila makapaghintay,” said Basañes.
According to Olalia, OFWs whose contracts have expired, visas, or pending applications will be assisted.
POEA is also in contact with the Korean Embassy to determine when the processing of E-9 visas will start again.
Protocols are also awaited to be released by South Korea for foreign workers.
South Korea, Taiwan expected to reopen to OFWs
In the initial list, the OFW must be fully vaccinated, have a negative RT-PCR test, and be willing to undergo quarantine, which must pass a second RT-PCR test before working.
Except for South Korea, Taiwan is also expected to open up to foreign workers.
About 4,000 OFWs have also been stranded in the Philippines since Taiwan implemented a lockdown in May.
According to reports, the Taiwan Ministry of Labor has appealed to the Central Epidemic Command Center to admit foreign workers due to workforce shortage.
Filipinos in Taiwan benefited from the lockdown and were given an extension of their contracts.
Meanwhile, 1,000 OFWs are scheduled to be vaccinated on Wednesday at the Department of Labor and Employment headquarters, especially since the main requirement now is to be vaccinated in all jobs abroad.
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