THE Seoul city government has announced revisions to its pilot program providing Filipina domestic workers to households, following feedback and concerns raised during the program’s first month of implementation.
The amendments, agreed upon during meetings between the labor ministry and relevant parties, will take effect this month. Key changes include:
Flexible Payment System: Workers will now have the option to receive their wages twice a month instead of once, addressing concerns about financial management.
Reduced Travel Time: For workers serving two households, efforts will be made to assign homes closer to each other to minimize travel time.
Designated Break Areas: Workers will be provided with designated break areas during their shifts to ensure adequate rest and relaxation.
Removal of Curfew: The requirement for workers to voluntarily report their safe return home by 10 p.m. has been removed, following requests from the Filipina workers themselves.
Additionally, the labor ministry is considering extending the workers’ stay, currently set at seven months, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Philippines.
“We have actively incorporated feedback from the field after thoroughly reviewing the program,” said Kim Sun-soon, director of Seoul City’s Women and Family Policy Division. “We are committed to creating a comfortable working environment that provides autonomy for the workers while addressing concerns like unauthorized departures.”
The pilot program, launched last month, involves 100 Filipina domestic workers providing childcare and household services to South Korean households with children aged 12 or below, as well as expecting parents. The program aims to alleviate the growing childcare burden in South Korea.
