Commentary by TEA-KOR (Teachers of English abroad in Korea)
Re: 14th Round of Canada-Korea Free Trade Negotiations
The next round of free trade negotiations between Canada and South Korea begin in Ottawa on March 25. The twelfth round was halted by labour interests.
There is no 13th round because the negotiations have been unlucky enough as it is. Canada's trade minister, David Emerson, correctly estimates that the talks will proceed at a slow grind.
The mainstream corporate press might say that tariffs are the main obstacle. But the issues are manifold. Currency values and financial assistance are two more.
The labour issues are monumental: sweat shop labour, temporary workers, migrant workers, the right to organize, harassment and police action against labour organizers, fair trade, pollution, housing, support services, safety, health care, and more. TEA-KOR is especially concerned about the terms and conditions of professionals hired to work in Korea.
Canadians might form the majority of foreign teachers working in Korea. Probably over 90 per cent of contracts with foreign teachers of English by private Korean establishments are illegal with respect to South Korea's labour laws. Implementation of the laws that exist is lame. There is widespread corruption throughout business corporations and public services, according to clan, corporate, and regional affiliation.
Even according to the conditions set forth in signed contracts, foreign teachers working in the private sector are likely to be underpaid. They have little power to act because their employment visas are based on named employers approved by immigration authorities. The employer has the power to release employees at will and enjoys the cooperation of immigration offices.
Discrimination against foreign labour was stirred up by the capture of a Canadian teaching illicitly and wanted on charges of pedophilia in autumn of 2007. All foreign teachers have had to suffer humiliation and great inconvenience in conforming to new immigration procedures while substantive issues regarding education standards in the private sector have not been addressed. The Canadian and other governments have been wrestling with the Korean government over visa application procedures since last fall.
tea_kor@yahoo.com