The Scope of Wage Theft Among Undocumented Migrants
As of 2024, over 23,254 undocumented migrants have suffered a staggering 110.8 billion won in wage theft. This figure represents 8.2% of the total 283,212 wage theft victims in the country, accounting for 5.4% of the total owed amount of 2 trillion 448 billion won. Alarmingly, these numbers have consistently exceeded 100 billion won each year since 2019. This data underscores the significant presence of undocumented workers in the labor market and emphasizes the urgent need for better protection of their rights. The persistence of high wage theft amounts suggests underlying structural problems that require attention.
The Risk of Deportation When Reporting Wage Theft
Undocumented migrants face a daunting risk of arrest and deportation for reporting wage theft, as it constitutes a violation of immigration laws. Take the case of Mr. A from the Philippines, who submitted a complaint regarding unpaid wages only to be detained due to the expiration of his residency status, facing imminent deportation.
Exploitation by Employers
Some employers are taking advantage of the precarious situation of undocumented workers by deliberately withholding wages. These instances serve to highlight the vulnerable position of these workers within the labor market and the lack of institutional frameworks to protect their rights.
Calls for Systematic Reform from Experts
Experts are calling for urgent reforms in immigration policies to tackle the issue of wage theft affecting undocumented migrants. They advocate for the establishment of stronger protective measures to ensure that these workers can seek justice without the fear of deportation.
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