PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL HOLDS PIONEERING LABOR SEMINAR FOR NEW FILIPINO EPS WORKERS

The seminar is a pioneering post-arrival program launched by the Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Seoul (POLO-OWWA) for all Filipino EPS workers with less than one (1) year stay in Korea to provide them with guidance on successfully working and living in Korea.

The seminar discussed the basic employment terms of EPS workers such as wages, hours of work, grounds for work transfer and re-entry, healthcare and medical benefits, and insurance in case of death, sickness, injury and departure. It also covered the various programs and services of the Embassy and POLO-OWWA, including the contingency and security plans for Filipinos in Korea. The participants went through a financial goal setting exercise, and received practical tips for establishing positive relationships with employers, co-workers and their communities.

In his closing message, Consul General Christian de Jesus enjoined the participants to be ambassadors of goodwill and continue to demonstrate the traits that the global Filipinos are known for: highly skilled, hardworking, dependable, and diligent. As newcomers in Korea, he encouraged them to be actively engaged in FilCom and Embassy activities, and get in touch with the Embassy on their various concerns.

One of the highlights of the seminar was the inspiring story shared by Mr. Jhumar Tablatin, an EPS worker since 2014 and current Chairman of Sulyapinoy, who underscored the importance of initiative, continuous learning, work life balance, and engagement in FilCom work as key to a rewarding work and life of EPS worker. "Learn to save, learn to invest while you can, and focus on achieving your goal, because we never know what is ahead of us", he said.

Aside from Mr. Tablatin, other guest speakers include Elena dela Cruz of the Seoul Global Center, Hee Jim Kee of National Health Insurance Service, Merlyn Lucenta of Samsung Fire Insurance, and JayR Manalo of FEWA. From the Embassy, Labor Attache Maya Valderrama, Welfare Officer Pops Deuna, Asst. Labor Attache Terelou Pimentel, Defense Attache Armil Angeles, and Second Secretary Mildred Abordo also acted as resource persons during the seminar.

The Embassy will continue to offer the seminar as a regular program for newly arrived Filipino EPS Workers. Interested persons may contact POLO OWWA at (822)37853634/ 5 or labor@philembassy-seoul.com for details. END