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Urgent Action Letter from APMMF

Dear Friends,

The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos (APMMF) is requesting for your support and solidarity action against the impending crackdown of undocumented workers and the massive suppression of migrants rights in South Korea.

The South Korean government is currently implementing a "Voluntary Reporting Program for Unauthorized Foreigners" (VRPUF) with the objective of decreasing the numbers of undocumented migrants. To forego registration would subject undocumented workers to massive arrests and deportation. The VRPUF started in March 25 and will end in May 25, 2002.

We also received reports of continuous harassment and threats directed at migrant and local labor and support groups who are protesting the implementation of the VRPUF. A series of protests have been initiated with the assistance of the Equality Trade Union, numbering in the thousands.

Please read the petition letter below and we encourage you/your organization to co-sign the petition by replying to this e-mail. The petition letter together with your organization/individual name will be sent to Mr. Kim Dae Jung, President of the Republic of Korea and to Mr. Jeong-Ho Song of the Justice Ministry.

Looking forward for your support and Long Live International Solidarity!!

(Signed)
Ramon Bultron
Managing Director

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PETITION LETTER

Mr. Kim Dae Jung
President
Republic of Korea
E-mail: webmaster@cwd.go.kr

Mr. Jeong-Ho Song
Minister of Justice
Republic of Korea
E-mail: immi_moj@moj.go.kr

Dear Mr. President:

Greetings!

We are writing this letter to raise our concern on what we view is an impending crackdown on undocumented workers and the massive suppression of their rights.

We believe that the Voluntary Reporting Program for Unauthorized Foreigners is a dangerous trap that would imperil the rights of undocumented workers. There is growing apprehension that the VPRUF will only be used to systematically hunt down undocumented workers, arrest and deport them. This impending crackdown is not the most socially just solution to the problems of undocumented workers.

We are also very alarmed with reports of heightening harassments and threats against those who are opposing this scheme.

The Equality Trade Union, the Migrant Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Union (KCTU) reported that your government recently formed an Inter-Agency Cooperation Committee (IACC) composed of the Police, Immigration Department and the National Intelligence Agency to ensure the implementation of the VRPUF and to arrest and deport any protesting migrants.

Considering that there is an on-going VRPUF from March 25 till May 25, 2002 we understand that is a period of amnesty and that a no-arrest and deportation policy is ongoing even among "unauthorized foreign workers".

Mr. President, we believe that this is an attempt to suppress the freedom of expression and assembly of migrant workers in South Korea and if pursued, this policy is a clear violation of basic human rights. We hope you will remember the time that your personal liberty and rights were curtailed.

Furthermore, given the fact that migrant workers contributed a lot in shaping the economy of South Korea for years especially at the time of economic recession, migrant workers do not deserve to be treated as criminals.

We call on your government to:

(1) Withdraw the VPRUF and look for alternative and socially just solutions to problems of undocumented workers;
(2) Immediately cease harassments and threats toward migrant organizers and participants of protests against the VRPUF;
(3) Desist from arresting protesting migrants; and
(4) Implement a general amnesty program and recognize the rights of migrant workers in South Korea.

We hope for your immediate and timely action in this regard. We remain,

Sincerely,

Name of Individual/Organization:

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Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos (APMMF)
Address: No.4 Jordan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
Tel. no.: (852) 2723-7536
Fax no.: (852) 2735-4559
E-mail: apmmf@hknet.com