Foreign worker permit system delayed

The Ministry of Labor has decided to postpone the implementation of a work permit system for foreign workers until January 2002.

The ministry earlier had planned to put into practice the program for unskilled foreign workers during the latter half of next year. A ministry official said on Wednesday that the postponement was inevitable but that the bill on the ¡°Management of Employment of Foreign Workers¡± providing the work permit system passed through the National Assembly during this year's regular session.

The official cited the lack of preparations, noting it would take some time to establish the enforcement decree and other necessary subordinate regulations.

The ministry plans to stipulate in the law that foreign workers shall not demand their employment contracts be extended when they conclude the contract with domestic employers, thus preventing illegal collection action.

The ministry also will ban foreign workers from being accompanied by their families for the purpose of living together in Korea.

In order to prevent foreign workers from staying in Korea illegally after their contracts expire, the government will have them make deposits, including the expenses for their departures, when they enter the nation.

An extension of stay might be allowed for the period necessary for the settlement of overdue wages and compensation for industrial disasters.

The ministry said that the employment of foreign workers would have to focus on the so-called 3D jobs -- difficult, dirty and dangerous -- shunned by domestic workers.

However, foreign workers will not be permitted to be hired by Korean entertainment and restaurant businesses.

The government also will implement a quota system for each country of worker origin.