Filipino Housekeeper "Curfew at 10 PM is frustrating... It's hard to take care of two children without compensation"

Foreign Domestic Workers 'Leaving' Discussion Meeting
"Travel Time and Fatigue from Caring for Multiple Children"
Seoul City, Ministry of Employment, and Service Providers
Two Domestic Workers Attended

About 20 days after the pilot project for foreign domestic workers began, two domestic workers left the program, prompting the authorities to hold a meeting to gather on-site opinions. Domestic workers managing multiple households expressed difficulties such as travel time and caring for multiple children.

On the morning of the 24th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor held a meeting with representatives from two service provider companies, Filipino domestic workers Jasmine Erika and Joan, and other officials. Earlier, on the 15th, two Filipino domestic workers left their accommodations and have been unreachable since.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Initially, it was reported that the workers faced economic difficulties because the 'monthly salary system' meant they received their pay for the current month in the following month. However, the domestic workers who attended the meeting stated that there were no issues with the salary. Kim Seon-soon, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Women and Family Office, said, "There was controversy in the previous day's report suggesting they might leave due to wages, but upon our verification, that does not seem to be the case," adding, "The allowance they received was a little over 2 million won, which is perceived as a very large amount compared to the local monthly salary of 300,000 to 400,000 won."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to consider applying the 'weekly salary system' only upon request. Director Kim explained, "They expressed that the monthly salary system was preferable, as it helps them manage their finances more systematically," and added, "We will consult with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and listen to on-site opinions; if necessary, we will revise the employment contracts accordingly."

Additional allowances for domestic workers caring for multiple children in a household are also being considered. Director Kim said, "There was a case where a domestic worker had to care for a 20-month-old and a 5-year-old child in one household, which was challenging," and continued, "Currently, Korean caregivers receive a 50% increase in their basic allowance when caring for two children. We plan to incorporate such measures into the main project."

Travel time between households for domestic workers managing multiple families was also cited as a difficulty. Some workers care for up to three or four households, and the travel time between homes is burdensome, so assignment considering the locations of households is necessary. The Seoul Metropolitan Government responded that they will consider assigning domestic workers in a way that minimizes travel time as much as possible.

There were also complaints about the '10 PM curfew' imposed on the domestic workers’ accommodations. Although the curfew is not a guideline or contractual requirement from the Seoul Metropolitan Government or the Ministry of Employment and Labor, it was voluntarily implemented by the service providers due to the nature of communal living. Domestic worker Joan said, "We should have the freedom to decide how to spend our time. We want to socialize," and added, "It would be good if the curfew could be extended to midnight." The service provider managing the accommodations stated that they will consider this request.