목차
Providing a Safe Haven for Migrant Workers in South Korea
From 1999 to this day, the ‘House of Refuge’ has provided shelter for migrant workers in South Korea. These workers not only face job insecurity but also housing instability. The House of Refuge welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of their immigration status, aiming to offer a safe and supportive environment for those in need.
The Dreams of Migrant Workers at the House of Refuge
For migrant workers, home is not only a physical space but also a symbol of stability and peace. However, many of these workers live in constant uncertainty due to the volatile nature of their employment. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs in 2020, 43.5% of migrant workers who entered South Korea on non-professional work visas (E9) resided in employer-provided accommodations. This means that losing their job would leave them without a place to call home.
Do Tan Luen (31), a Vietnamese migrant worker, lost his job at an elevator company in Gimpo. As the workload decreased, he was eventually let go from the company, and as a result, had to leave the employee dormitory. It was through an online community used by Vietnamese migrant workers that he learned about the House of Refuge. He found hope for a better future at this shelter.
o Tan Luen explained, “I am currently looking for job opportunities in the plastics processing sector. However, the employment center is closed during the summer vacation, so I will start searching for jobs next week. I hope to obtain an E7 visa, which would allow me to continue living in South Korea. I want to stay in Korea because I love the food and the kindness of the people here.”
Where Dreams Come True
The House of Refuge, located in Changwon City, South Korea, has become a sanctuary for migrant workers seeking to achieve their “Korean Dream.” One of the residents of the shelter is Michael Vincent (26), a Filipino migrant worker who arrived in Korea in December of last year. He used to work at a processed food company in Chungbuk but decided to find a new job due to the decreasing number of available work shifts. Michael said, “I heard that there are many good job opportunities in the Changwon area, so I came here. I hope to work for a manufacturing company that offers a lot of overtime, as I want to earn a decent salary.
Bike Bibu Layama (25), a Nepal-born migrant worker, spent a year working on a perilla leaf farm in the Chunnam region before coming to the House of Refuge. He described the intense labor he experienced while working under the scorching sun from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. He eventually reached a breaking point and decided to quit his job and come to Changwon for a fresh start.
He arrived in Korea only two months after getting married. When asked if he missed his husband, tears filled his eyes. Bibu Layma
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