The Seoul City 'Filipino housekeepers' pilot project will end at the end of this month. It has been six months since its introduction in September last year. During this time, the project has been criticized for low treatment and poor working conditions. There have even been cases of Filipino housekeepers leaving without permission and being forcibly deported. It was noted on the 2nd that the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Seoul City are contemplating the promotion of the main project.
◇ Maximum monthly payment of 2.8 million won due to minimum wage application
The working period for Filipino housekeepers is six months from last September until this month. If they wish, they can continue to work for an additional 30 months after the pilot project ends, allowing them to work for up to 3 years (36 months). According to Seoul City and users, it is not good for housekeepers to frequently change, as close relationships have developed with the children in their care.
To this end, improvements in treatment for Filipino housekeepers are being made. Initially, Seoul City held the position of not applying the minimum wage to Filipino housekeepers. However, issues arose when 2 out of 100 Filipino housekeepers could not work beyond a month after starting in September last year and left without permission. Concerns were raised that offering low wages could lead to the emergence of undocumented workers seeking other jobs.
Currently, Filipino housekeepers receive the minimum wage, just like Korean citizens. Last year, they earned 13,700 won per hour, including minimum wage, weekly holiday allowance, and the four major social insurances, but starting this year, they will earn 13,940 won. If they work 52 hours a week, they can receive a maximum salary of around 2.8 million won per month. This is an increase of 1.7% compared to last year.
◇ 'With support for groceries and transportation costs, I can save 1.5 million won a month'
Most Filipino housekeepers must earn money in Korea to support their families back home. Even if salaries increase, higher living costs can lead them away from their original purpose of coming to Korea. Living expenses include rent for accommodation, food costs, and transportation costs for commuting to families where they work as housekeepers.
Accordingly, Seoul City is providing various supports to Filipino housekeepers. Currently, Filipino housekeepers are paying an average of 460,000 won in rent at their accommodation in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam. Although the rooms are not spacious, they are relatively cheaper than the average rent in Gangnam (700,000 won). There have been suggestions to move to areas with lower rent, but it is said that they settled in a location close to the subway station considering the high demand in Gangnam and the commuting of housekeepers.
Currently, free rice, ramen, ham, cereal, and other items are provided at the Yeoksam-dong accommodation. It is said that this can save around 40,000 won in food expenses each month. Additionally, transportation costs can be resolved for about 60,000 won with a Seoul unlimited public transportation pass (Climate Companion Card).
Through this method, they can cover housing and living expenses within 1.3 million won and save about 1.5 million won, according to Seoul City. The city is dividing the salary into two payments each month to allow them to send money home more frequently.
Seoul City is also operating the working methods of Filipino housekeepers flexibly. If a Filipino housekeeper wants to enjoy cultural activities in Korea, it is possible to work only 30 hours a week. Conversely, they can also work by commuting between two households in a day. The 10 p.m. curfew, which had previously triggered human rights infringement controversies, has been abolished.
◇ Participation intention in the main project is less than expected... The Ministry of Employment and Labor said, 'Nothing has been concretely decided yet.'
Seoul City and the Ministry of Employment and Labor were planning to increase the number of participants from 100 to 1,200 after the pilot project and to recruit housekeepers from countries like Vietnam and Cambodia as well. However, a recent survey by the Ministry of Employment and Labor found that Seoul submitted demand for around 950 people, while Busan and Sejong had less than 20 each. This is a smaller scale than expected.
A Ministry of Employment and Labor official said, 'It's still just a demand survey, and nothing has been concretely decided regarding the main project,' adding that 'if the main project proceeds, we cannot rule out the possibility of other local governments participating.'
A Seoul City official said, 'For the time being, we will continue the housekeeper project, focusing on the Philippines in coordination with the Ministry of Employment and Labor.'