For Legalization of MWs in HongKong, Canada and Korea
Simultaneous picket demonstrations were held in Hong Kong and Ontario Canada in support of migrant workers in Korea demanding for Legalization and to protest against the implementation of the "Voluntary Reporting Program for Unauthorized Foreigners" (VRPUF) and the heightening harassments and threats against those who are opposing this scheme.
Source : Asian Workers News No. 130 (May 19, 2002)
By Marlen Kim Obrero, Staff Reporter of Asian Workers News
Simultaneous picket demonstrations were held in Hong Kong and Ontario Canada in support of migrant workers in Korea demanding for Legalization and to protest against the implementation of the "Voluntary Reporting Program for Unauthorized Foreigners" (VRPUF) and the heightening harassments and threats against those who are opposing this scheme. The picket demonstration was participated by different nationalities representing various migrant and advocate organizations. Similar protest action was also held in Myeondong Seoul, where representative from different unions, and NGO's delivered their solidarity and support statements.
In Hong Kong, the Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU-HK), the Far East Overseas Nepali Association (FEONA) and the Asian Students Association (ASA) attended the protest action gave solidarity messages in the Korean consulate. A petition letter signed by 42 organizations worldwide was presented to the Korean consulate but consulate officials refused to receive the petition letter.
According to Ramon Bultron of APMM, the refusal of the Consulate officials to formally accept the petition letter shows the insensitivity and arrogance of the Korean government towards people in Hong Kong and other parts of the world advocating for the rights of migrant workers in Korea.
In Ontario, similar protest action was lead by the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) in front of the Korean Consulate. According to John Clarke, the organizer of the OCAP its statement sent to the Equality Trade Union-Migrants Branch in Korea, "We have learned of Korean Government's reprehensible crackdown on undocumented workers living in Korea. We wish to add our voice to those who will condemn this conduct".
The picket demonstrations are solidarity action in support to the on-gong opposition of migrant workers and migrant advocates in Korea. A sit-down protest of migrant workers and their local advocates is being held inside the Myengdong Cathedral. Likewise similar protests action are set on May 6 and 7 at Ontario in Canada, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia and in the Dhaka Bangladesh and in Manila Philippines in front of the Korean Consulate and Embassy in support of the ongoing struggle for migrant workers in Korea.
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