Improving situation in South Korea good news for displaced Pinoy workers

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THINGS are starting to look up for displaced Filipino workers in South Korea, according to chargé d’affaires Christian de Jesus, as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases there continue to drop.

Speaking at Thursday’s “Laging Handa” briefing, De Jesus said South Korea listed no new COVID-19 case on Wednesday, attesting that its aggressive campaign to beat back new infections has produced positive results.

“Even as we extend assistance to our fellow Filipinos here, the improving condition is likewise good news, particularly those who were displaced from their jobs — whether permanent or only temporary,” the diplomat said.

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He noted that South Korea registered one of the highest number of cases in the world from January to February, which called for the immediate implementation of the DOLE-AKAP — a program providing assistance to stranded overseas Filipino workers, on the initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment in coordination with the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA).

He said even undocumented Filipinos sought help through community leaders and were given food, groceries, face masks, and food supplements.

“Overall, South Korea is improving fast even as the government is insisting that everyone, including Koreans and foreigners, continue to observe social distancing and everyday life quarantine,” De Jesus said.

Of the four Filipinos there who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, one has been discharged while the other three remain under treatment in hospitals.

De Jesus said the country’s mass testing campaign has been instrumental in making the rapid turnaround.

“From January to April, the Korean government has been aggressive in testing. The mass testing enabled them to control new infections and get closer to ridding their country of COVID-19,” he said.

Most Filipinos working in Korea are in the manufacturing sector, who were not adversely affected except for shortened work hours and loss of overtime work opportunities.

However, the few who are in the hotel and entertainment industries like musicians or talents, lost their sources of income as clubs and bars had to stop operating.

Of these, 113 have received assistance from the Philippine mission although the Korean government is also helping out.

South Korea’s ruling party and the government on Thursday agreed to provide cash handouts to every household, not just to families below the top 30 percentile of income as previously announced, the finance ministry said.

The ministry separately said the government will issue additional bonds to fund the cash handout.

As of Thursday, South Korea has 10,702 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 240 deaths and 8,411 recoveries. — With Reuters

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