FROM THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION:
Things you should know about working in South Korea

Filipinos in South Korea work as:

Factory worker-trainees
 Entertainers
 Construction Workers

Minimum Salary Rate 

For Construction Association of Korea  (CAK) hired – KRW 2,510 / hour
For Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business  (KFSMB) hired – KRW 567,260 / month
For entertainers – US$500 / month

Modes of  Recruitment

Hiring through the licensed Philippine Recruitment Agencies
Name-hiring, in special limited circumstances
Hiring through POEA under the employment permit system (starting August of 2004)

TYPES OF VISA

Trainee Visa: presently the most common entry visa option
Employment Visa:  issued for selected occupations (mostly technical and professional) or as an upgrade from trainee visa after a year of stay and passing a competitive exam.

Processing Cost For Agency Hire

Processing Cost For Name Hire

APPLYING FOR A JOB IN SOUTH KOREA

Documents to Prepare

• Resume/Biodata
• School Credentials & Transcript of Records 
  (High School and/or College Diploma  uthenticated by DECS or CHED)
• Trade Test
• Employment Certificate/s
• Birth Certificate  (authenticated  by the National Statistics Office)
• Passport
• NBI Clearance
• 2 passport size pictures

Procedure for Agency Hire

1. Verify agency license and job order with POEA (Hotline 722-1144/55)
2. Apply and submit credentials to the agency
3. Undergo Medical Examination with DOH accredited clinics (3 days)
4. Attend PDOS with accredited PDOS provider (1 day)
5. Obtain e-Receipt & e-Card

LIVING & WORKING IN SOUTH KOREA

Terms and Conditions of Employment

• 10 working hours per day (Monday to Saturday)
• sick leave benefit not exceeding 30 days in 1 year
• Medical examination a day after arrival and special briefing orientation on the country’s laws and culture
• The trainee visa can be converted into an employment visa after a year and passing a competitive exam
• Total period of employment should not exceed 3 years.
• After finishing a 3-year employment contract, a foreign worker can return to the country after 3 years.
• Employers provide only the return air ticket of the trainee at the end of the contract.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• It is illegal for employer to keep the workers passport and money.
• Have your original copy of your marriage contract and birth certificate of children for tax exemption 
• Worker cannot change employer or job without finishing the contract
• Respect Korean tradition, customs, practices and strictly observe all their laws and regulation
• Prior to leaving open a savings account for remittance purpose.

Common Problems

• Excessive collection of fees by recruitment agencies and Korean brokers
• Lower salaries compared to other non-member of CAK and KFSMB companies
• Low take home pay after the monthly deductions from the worker-trainees’ salary

 Risks of Running Away

• Revocation of employment permit
• Arrest, detention and deportation
• Deprivation of future employment
• Loss of personal belongings
• Fabrication of false accusations by employers
• Ruins the image of and employment opportunities for Filipinos

COUNTRY PROFILE 

SOURCE: www.poea.gov.ph