Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Institute of Research and Policy Development for Migrants’ Human Rights hosted a multicultural human rights forum under the topic of ‘The Reciprocal Development of Immigrant Workers and Their Human Rights’ to celebrate the 10th Together Day.
The participants highlighted the roles of immigrant workers who play a bridging role between Korea and their country and contribute to the economic and social development of both countries. They then had a discussion on the rights of immigrant workers.
Professor Lee Tae-ju of Hansung University, who gave a keynote presentation on the day of the event under the title ‘The Development Based on the Human Rights of Immigrant Workers,’ stressed that guaranteeing the rights of immigrants – including the eradication of human trafficking and the establishment of immigrants’ right to as well as the legal identity of their children – is a way to pursue sustainable development in Korea and the immigrants’ home countries.
During the first part of the seminar, Chief Researcher Cho Yeong-hui of the IOM Migration Research & Training Centre proposed cooperation between Korea and the immigrants’ home countries and utilizing the capabilities of immigrants as a task of Korea’s immigration policy. Cho also introduced the multidimensionality of immigrants, immigrant families, their home countries, regional societies, and Korea in terms of development and emphasized that immigration policy must be implemented in a development-friendly way that is based on human rights.
Professor Lee Jeong-hwan of Cheongju University suggested flexibility in the use of foreign labor, expansion of skilled foreign labor, proper negotiation between foreign laborers and businesses in case of relocation of businesses, and expansion of return programs as the ways to improve immigrant workers’ rights.
During the second part of the seminar, the participants had a discussion on the support activities of the immigrant communities in Korea for their home countries and shared examples of Mongolia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
During the second part of the seminar, the participants had a discussion on the support activities of the immigrant communities in Korea for their home countries and shared examples of Mongolia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
President Ira of the Mongolian Association in Korea (a former member of the legislative body of Gyeonggi Province), President Won Ok-geum of the Vietnamese community in Korea (also a foreign honorary mayor of Seoul), and Father Yujin Dokoi (who promoted savings and investment programs for immigrants within the Filipino community in Korea during his 15-years stay in Korea) introduced the outcomes and limits of the bridging activities for their home countries and Korea.
Meanwhile, the cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province also held a variety of multicultural events to celebrate Together Day.