Allegations of wage theft and human rights violations against seasonal migrant workers have emerged at an oyster farm in Goheung County, South Jeolla Province.
Civic groups including the Gwangju-South Jeolla Migrant Workers Human Rights Network held a press conference outside Goheung County Office on the 4th, demanding a thorough investigation. "A Filipino female worker who entered the country through the government's official fishery seasonal worker program suffered severe labor exploitation," the groups stated.
According to the organizations, a Filipino woman identified as Ms. A, in her 20s, entered Korea in November last year on a seasonal worker (E-8) visa. Her employment contract stipulated monthly wages of 2.09 million won, but her first month's pay amounted to just 235,671 won—approximately $160.
The discrepancy arose because her wages were calculated not by hourly rate but at 3,000 won per kilogram of oysters shucked. The groups explained that her pay was drastically reduced on grounds that she had not yet mastered the work.
Ms. A was also reportedly assigned to work at a citrus farm, labor not specified in her contract. She allegedly faced threats that she would be "sent back to the Philippines" if she failed to meet production targets.
Concerns were also raised about living conditions and labor management practices. Son Sang-yong, steering committee chair of the South Jeolla Migrant Workers Human Rights Network, alleged: "Unlike the accommodations reported to Goheung County and the Ministry of Justice, 15 women were housed in a single residence while being charged 310,000 won each, totaling 4.5 million won monthly in lodging fees."
"CCTV cameras were installed inside the accommodations, and restrictions were placed on going outside—surveillance amounting to near-confinement," Son added. "Illegal brokers with no authority under the Employment Security Act controlled the workers' movements and labor."
On the 25th of last month, Ms. A and the supporting organizations filed complaints with the Yeosu branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor against two employers and four illegal recruiters and intermediaries for violations of the Labor Standards Act and Minimum Wage Act. On the same day, Ms. A escaped from the workplace with assistance from the groups.
"Given the allegations of labor exploitation through abuse of the seasonal worker system, a thorough investigation is necessary," the organizations emphasized. "Relevant agencies must conduct a comprehensive review of their supervision and oversight practices."
