The municipal government of Rosales in Pangasinan has sent the third batch of farmers to South Korea that would benefit from a seasonal workers’ program.
This is under the local government unit’s (LGU) partnership with Yeongju City of North Gyeongsang Province to provide overseas employment opportunities to farmers in the town.
Public Employment Services Office (PESO) in-charge Aila Rose Seradoy, in an interview on Friday, said the partnership started in 2023 following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with an initial deployment of 120 farmers from Rosales to Yeongju City, followed by 240 workers in 2024.
This year, there are 274 farm workers, who qualified for the program. The first batch flew to South Korea in March, the second batch in April, and the third batch in May.
Seradoy said the qualified farmers whose ages range between 25 to 47 signed work contracts from five to eight months with a guaranteed salary between PHP80,000 to PHP100,000 per month. About 20 percent of their salary was spent, however, on board and lodging.
“In the hiring and recruitment process, Yeongju representatives personally go here to select workers who will qualify. A test is conducted to check if the applicants are indeed farmers,” she said.
Seradoy said the qualified applicants shouldered their expenses on visa processing, medical, and airfare, while the LGU of Rosales assisted them with the processes and monitored and supported them as they started working.
“In the MOA, the workers are protected based on the guidelines crafted by both of the parties. A worker cannot be immediately removed and sent back home if he or she encounters problems in meeting the demands of the job. They are given three chances to improve,” she said.
Some of the farm workers encountered difficulties adjusting to the different work ethics in South Korea, while others were given repeat contracts based on the recommendation of the employer, she added.
Seradoy said the program is benefitting a lot of the farm workers in the town.
“Meron ng mga nakapagpatayo ng bahay, nakabili ng properties at sasakyan, may mga nakapaglatayo ng negosyo. Nakikita namin na umuunlad ang pamumuhay nila dahil sa programa (There are those who were able to built their own houses, purchased properties, and cars, and still others established their own businesses. We can see that they are progressing in their economic status because of the program),” she said.
Aside from the economic benefits, the farm workers were also able to learn new practices and technologies from South Korea, which they are able to apply in their own agricultural farmlands.
Rosales town Mayor William Cezar said they plan to further expand the partnership to benefit factory workers, teachers, and even students.
The two LGUs have already signed an international friendship and exchange agreement covering the partnership in cultural exchanges.
“We aim high and dream big for Rosalenians,” Cezar said. (PNA)
