Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smithington]

This article made my blood boil. The treatment of foreign workers from poor countries in Korea is an absolute disgrace. We know how shady Korean employers can be even within the ESL industry (both hogwans and public schools) but we got it good compared to "entertainment" workers. This girl's story makes sense. I had a buddy who worked in Dingducheon (a dump by the way) and when I'd visit him we'd go over to the "village" to listen to some pretty awesome rock n' roll by Phillipinos working in bars. Without fail I would tip them before I left. The girl in this story was told she was being hired to sing in one of those bars. Once here and penniless she was told, "Oh sorry, did we say you'd be singing. Sorry, we meant to say you'd be a prostitute."

On a positive note, I think it's awesome that the Korea Herald investigated this and wrote a lengthy expose on it.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150615000845

[Underwaterbob]

The entire "entertainment" industry here is appalling from the bottom up and badly in need of some regulation from people who are immune to the ubiquitous white envelop. I don't doubt these people have "friends" working in all levels of government.

[Smithington]

At the pub there I spoke to some Phillippinas who worked in the juicy bars. They got one day off a month (during which time they could not leave the immediate area), and all slept in small room together at night. The club owner would lock them into their room at night from the outside so they couldn't run away. This is the very definition of "sex slavery."

Do the cops care? No. The labor board? No. Human rights groups? Nope. Local governments? Not a chance.

[tophatcat]

foreign comfort women in korea

[ttompatz]

There is a reason the juicy bars are downrange from the military base main gates and it isn't to service the Korean clientele.

You'll find very few Pinays away from the foreigner areas.

.

[Plain Meaning]

[sirius black]

The treatment is pretty much universal. Lotsa horror stories in the Middle East. As you go higher up the job field, it obviously gets better. If they have a skill in nursing or teaching for example, its a decent life somewhat but if they have a degree in nursing they were probably at least middle class back in the Philippines to afford the tuition, etc. but still more money than they would have made back home.

[Smithington]

[CentralCali]

While I don't buy everything the Filipina in the link in the OP related, there's still far too much truth in her story--and well-known to not only Korea's law enforcement, but also to the Philippines' law enforcement--for either country to get a pass on ignoring the situation.

[sirius black]