Dimapur, July 10 (MExN): The Naga Christian Fellowship Korea (NCFK) is alarmed by reports about Naga youths going to South Korea to work in a veterinary farm for a meager sum of US $ 400 per month. The news report, ‘Naga youths going abroad as cheap labour’ was carried by The Morung Express on July 5. NCFK has issued a press communiqué raising concern about the government’s decision to send the Naga youths to South Korea without knowing the ground realities. It also gave a detailed account of the wage structure of South Korea.
Stating that NCFK has tried its best not to get itself entangled in any problem regarding Korean mission in Nagaland assuming that our Naga leaders and intellectual glitterati are wise enough to differentiate the real from the imposters. However, it is compelled to give a clear picture after reading reports in The Morung Express and another report about a Korean Mission running a prostitution racket in Chennai which employed Naga girls, NCFK stated. It also clearly stated that it has no personal grudge against any person, government or company whatsoever.
Nagas in Korea raise concern about youths going abroad
As per the wage structure presented by NCFK, the normal wage in South Korea is as follows. Minimum approximate amount- but not less- for part time jobs pays $50 to $72 (= Rs.2000-Rs. 3000) per day and monthly Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000. There are no other benefits for part time job. Full time jobs pay $40 or Rs. 1600 per day and Rs.40, 000 per month. It includes benefits like free food, lodging, free medical insurance, leave encashment, casual leave, bonus pay of one month for every year, to and fro airfare (if MoU is signed directly with the Company and not the third party). Hence in the light of the above stated rates, a monthly salary of $400 in South Korea is ridiculous, NCFK stated; adding that earning $400 in a city where even a cheapest hair cut costs Rs. 350 is a matter of deep concern. It questioned who will pocket the rest Rs.32,000 earned by the workers.
“It is total insanity. It’s a day light robbery and our Nagaland Government is endorsing it in the name of employment. If the Naga youths are to earn Rs. 17848, it is better for the Nagaland Government to distribute the amount they are investing in this project equally among the concerned youths and save them two years of slavery and pain,” it remarked.
It also raised concerns with regard to the MoU, stating it is surprising that the Nagaland Government signed the MoU with the Korean company without studying the ground realities. It affirmed that the Government of Korea had fixed the daily rate and therefore “it is illegal for companies to give such low wages to its workers.” NCFK suggested that the government should take this matter up with the Korean counterpart and the concerned company at the earliest with the signed MoU as proof paper and if necessary seek legal advice.
Further, if the Nagaland Government has signed the MoU with the third party, it should rectify the monthly payment of the workers with them citing Korean legal laws.
It also mentioned that the average working hours in Korean companies is ten hours daily. Thus working ten hours daily for two years and earning so less is incomprehensible to any sensible person, it stated. Still further, it is mandatory in this case, to submit the Passport to the company as soon as they reach their work place and once this happens, the workers have no way out but to work for two years, it cautioned.
“In a foreign land and on their own, without any possibility to withdraw, it looks like our Naga youths are heading towards a bonded labour.”
NCFK stated that it will be willing to have an open and fair discussion with the parties concerned provided that it takes place in Seoul and if all the parties involved are present. “It is sad that our government officials are being taken for a ride without realizing. The Government should not think this as employment of our youths and count this in their achievement list,” NCFK stated. It is more disheartened to see the hohos, unions, NGOs and even Church Councils remaining silent spectators. NCFK has pleaded to all right thinking Nagas to raise voice against intruders who are taking advantage of their economic condition and using Nagas in the name of employment. It urged the NGOs, Church councils and the government to take this case up seriously. It urged the Nagaland human right groups to seriously take up this matter with the government and the concerned company as soon as possible.
(NCFK is willing to assist in whatever way it can. For any assistance, contact NCFK at nagaseoul@yahoo.com.)
Stating that NCFK has tried its best not to get itself entangled in any problem regarding Korean mission in Nagaland assuming that our Naga leaders and intellectual glitterati are wise enough to differentiate the real from the imposters. However, it is compelled to give a clear picture after reading reports in The Morung Express and another report about a Korean Mission running a prostitution racket in Chennai which employed Naga girls, NCFK stated. It also clearly stated that it has no personal grudge against any person, government or company whatsoever.
Nagas in Korea raise concern about youths going abroad
As per the wage structure presented by NCFK, the normal wage in South Korea is as follows. Minimum approximate amount- but not less- for part time jobs pays $50 to $72 (= Rs.2000-Rs. 3000) per day and monthly Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000. There are no other benefits for part time job. Full time jobs pay $40 or Rs. 1600 per day and Rs.40, 000 per month. It includes benefits like free food, lodging, free medical insurance, leave encashment, casual leave, bonus pay of one month for every year, to and fro airfare (if MoU is signed directly with the Company and not the third party). Hence in the light of the above stated rates, a monthly salary of $400 in South Korea is ridiculous, NCFK stated; adding that earning $400 in a city where even a cheapest hair cut costs Rs. 350 is a matter of deep concern. It questioned who will pocket the rest Rs.32,000 earned by the workers.
“It is total insanity. It’s a day light robbery and our Nagaland Government is endorsing it in the name of employment. If the Naga youths are to earn Rs. 17848, it is better for the Nagaland Government to distribute the amount they are investing in this project equally among the concerned youths and save them two years of slavery and pain,” it remarked.
It also raised concerns with regard to the MoU, stating it is surprising that the Nagaland Government signed the MoU with the Korean company without studying the ground realities. It affirmed that the Government of Korea had fixed the daily rate and therefore “it is illegal for companies to give such low wages to its workers.” NCFK suggested that the government should take this matter up with the Korean counterpart and the concerned company at the earliest with the signed MoU as proof paper and if necessary seek legal advice.
Further, if the Nagaland Government has signed the MoU with the third party, it should rectify the monthly payment of the workers with them citing Korean legal laws.
It also mentioned that the average working hours in Korean companies is ten hours daily. Thus working ten hours daily for two years and earning so less is incomprehensible to any sensible person, it stated. Still further, it is mandatory in this case, to submit the Passport to the company as soon as they reach their work place and once this happens, the workers have no way out but to work for two years, it cautioned.
“In a foreign land and on their own, without any possibility to withdraw, it looks like our Naga youths are heading towards a bonded labour.”
NCFK stated that it will be willing to have an open and fair discussion with the parties concerned provided that it takes place in Seoul and if all the parties involved are present. “It is sad that our government officials are being taken for a ride without realizing. The Government should not think this as employment of our youths and count this in their achievement list,” NCFK stated. It is more disheartened to see the hohos, unions, NGOs and even Church Councils remaining silent spectators. NCFK has pleaded to all right thinking Nagas to raise voice against intruders who are taking advantage of their economic condition and using Nagas in the name of employment. It urged the NGOs, Church councils and the government to take this case up seriously. It urged the Nagaland human right groups to seriously take up this matter with the government and the concerned company as soon as possible.
(NCFK is willing to assist in whatever way it can. For any assistance, contact NCFK at nagaseoul@yahoo.com.)
