The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the scope of foreigners eligible to receive subsidies, such as consumption coupons aimed at overcoming the economic situation, should be gradually expanded when pursuing such programs.
According to the NHRC on the 11th, immigrants including Koryoin compatriots filed a petition in July last year, arguing that paying consumption coupons only to some foreigners is discrimination without a reasonable basis.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety told the NHRC that, because consumption coupons were implemented within a limited government budget, there are practical constraints on expanding the scope of foreign recipients.
The NHRC's Committee for Remedying Discrimination also dismissed the petition, judging it difficult to conclude that defining the scope of foreign recipients of consumption coupons as permanent residents, marriage immigrants, and recognized refugees constituted a deviation from or abuse of discretion.
However, the NHRC assessed that, as more than 2 million foreigners currently live in the country, work in key industries such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture and livestock, and make tangible contributions to our society and economy through paying taxes and social insurance premiums and through local consumption, excessive exclusion from stimulus support policies could hinder social integration.
It then expressed to the Ministers of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare the view that, in establishing and executing similar policies going forward, the system should be improved to expand the scope of support to foreigners with other residence statuses.
The NHRC said, "We hope this opinion will help ensure that fiscal support policies responding to the economic crisis are designed to encompass both citizens and foreign immigrants."