Foreign workers should be granted reemployment in case of employer mistake: watchdog

Seoul, Aug. 20 - The state civil rights watchdog in South Korea has advised the labor ministry to permit foreign workers to return to employment if their employers inadvertently fail to apply for an extension of their work permits. The recommendation, made by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, came after a foreign worker in the Gimpo area, who was on an E-9 visa, petitioned the government after becoming an illegal immigrant due to an error by his employer.

The employer had applied for an extension of the worker's stay, but not the extension of employment. Once the mistake was realized, the employer submitted a late application for the employment extension, but the labor ministry denied it, citing the expiration of the deadline. The commission believes it is appropriate to allow the reemployment of foreign workers whose employment deadlines expire unintentionally.

Furthermore, it suggested the labor ministry devise measures to enhance regulations in such situations.