Solidarity letter from Filipino Migrant Women's Organization in the Netherlands in support of migrant workers
From the Desk of:
Pinay sa Holland-GABRIELA Tel: (020) 6165288 / 4284521
Keizersgracht 132, 1015 CW Amsterdam Fax: (020) 6188704
Postbus 15687, 1001 ND Amsterdam E-Mail: pinaysaholland@zonnet.nl
Source : Pinay sa Holland-GABRIELA
April 4, 2002
Dear Friends,
We express our strong solidarity and support to the call of The Equality Trade Union-Migrants Branch against the deportation policy of "Voluntary Reporting". We demand that the Korean government immediately address the welfare needs of the 260,000 undocumented migrant workers in the country and to undertake measures that will uphold and protect their fundamental human rights.
The 'Voluntary Reporting Period' set from March 25 until May 25, 2002 is the government's answer to the sharp increase in the number of undocumented migrant workers in Korea. The measure will exempt undocumented migrant workers from various penalties provided they report to the authorities or register voluntarily. The one-year moratorium is supposed to give the migrant time to prepare for his/her departure for up to a maximum of one year.
This arbitrary measure will legitimize the Korean government's crackdown on all undocumented migrants and will surely cause severe difficulties for them instead of addressing their real issues and concerns.
This deportation strategy is in line with the Government's agenda to maintain the Trainee System and implement the new Employment Permit System (EPS) for the newcomers. Both the Trainee and the new Employment Permit system is and will not actually resolve the increasing number of undocumented migrants. In fact, more migrants will only experience further transgression of their basic rights and welfare. (Attached is a copy of our statement regarding the government's policy.)
In view of this, we the undersigned, support the demands of the Equality Trade Union-Migrants Branch under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and their protest action on April 7 to express strong opposition against this scheme. At the same time, we call upon the Korean government to uphold the UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES and implement its various provisions protecting the rights and welfare of undocumented migrant workers.
No to Deportation!
Legalize Undocumented Migrants!
Justice to All Migrant Workers in Korea!
In Solidarity,
Maitet Ledesma
Chairperson
Pinay sa Holland-GABRIELA
(Filipino Migrant Women's Organization in the Netherlands)
2002 / -0 / 4-
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