Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kepler]

“A U.N. expert on racism called on the South Korean government Monday to tackle the country’s xenophobia issue by stepping up education and legislating comprehensive anti-discrimination laws....

“To improve the situation of racism in the country, Ruteere stressed the importance of education on racism and xenophobia, while suggesting the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination act. ‘(It is also important) to ensure that the media is sensitive of the responsibility to avoid racist and xenophobic stereotypes and that these are properly addressed and perpetrators punished where appropriate.’”
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20141006001064

I wonder what Ban Ki-moon has to say about this. I know that Amnesty International has expressed a lot of concern about the way migrant workers are treated here. It seems the passage of such legislation could potentially affect English teachers. Schools that make hiring decisions based on race/age/gender could face legal consequences. Bars and nightclubs that ban people based on nationality could too. Some Koreans claim such changes would result in minority groups enjoying special protections that they don't enjoy.

[Fox]

[PatrickGHBusan]

What the UN expert discusses is a wide range of measures. As stated it is up to Korea and Koreans to decide which measures they want to apply/enforce, how and on what scale.

The real target would need to be the DDD workers (migrant manual laborers for the most part). They do need more protection in many cases. A law or more regulation would likely improve their lot.

English teachers are in a completely different category and their situation is nowhere near comparable to DDD workers. The hiring practices described in the OP would be hard to prove and harder to attack legally. Furthermore, who exactly would sue the employer? The prospective English Teacher? That seems very unlikely considering the means at the disposal of most new applicants (new grads looking to clear student loans) and their outlook and priorities (Korea being just one possible destination out of many).

The same goes for nightclubs, who would actually sue a nightclub?

I agree that the main point should be to aim at improving the system in terms of contractual respect, something that has already improved in leaps and bounds when compared to a short 10 years ago.



Finally xenophobia is something that is quite hard to get at. It typically cannot be legislated away.

[Cave Dweller]

First thing they need to do is do away with asking for a photo with a resume. That is the first step in discrimination.

Hmm, too black, too old, ugly weiner, throw the resume in the trash.

[Chaparrastique]

A system should be put in place to enforce the hiring of E2 teachers based on qualifications and experience.

[Cave Dweller]

I don't think discrimination can ever fully be eliminated from the hiring process. They can always find a different excuse not to hire someone. He had a bad attitude, he answered his phone in the interview, etc.

Eliminating the photo requirement would be the first step.

[Weigookin74]

There was a proposed bill in place to outlaw all kinds of discrimination but it failed due to outside pressure. I think they tried to pass too much too quickly. Even in the west it took time to pass these things. First racial discrimination, then 20 or 30 years later came the other isms like ageism, sexism, sexual orientation, etc. This proposed bill before the Korean legislature had everything in it all at once and failed. They should pare it down and focus only on racism, perhaps ageism, and then try to pass the others seperately at a future date.

[northway]

[Cave Dweller]

The fine seems appropriate. Suing is a legal headache.

The ironic part is, the club denying people was probably doing them a favour. I don't know anyone in their right mind who would want to go to a Korean club. I'd only go if someone else was paying and they were paying the waiter to find ladies to sit next to me and laugh at my jokes, pour my drinks, and rub my crotch.

[KimchiNinja]

Oh Christ, another thread of Westerners talking about racism.

[Cave Dweller]

Yeah KN, let's ignore it. Maybe it will go away.

I love ostriches.

[KimchiNinja]

[Cave Dweller]

It is no tiny number. But whatever floats your boat. Be sure to move back to the states before you age out and become unemployable.

[KimchiNinja]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Getting rid of the photo will not change much...

Most employer/recruiters require information that includes date of birth. That coupled with gender (ie its in your name) means that if an employer wishes to hire female teachers, white teachers...he or she can.

Furthermore, as long as the market remains an employers market with a glut of applicants, employers/recruiters can pick and choose.