Filipino nanny program could be expanded to include live-in arrangements, Seoul mayor says

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Filipino nanny program could be expanded to include live-in arrangements, Seoul mayor says

Published: 15 Oct. 2024, 16:05 Updated: 15 Oct. 2024, 17:41

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks during a parliamentary audit session at City Hall in central Seoul on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Tuesday said that the pilot program for Filipino domestic caregivers could be expanded and revised, potentially allowing foreign nannies to live in the households where they work or accepting applicants from additional countries.

Oh's remarks came in response to questions regarding the scheme from People Power Party Rep. Cho Seung-hwan during a parliamentary audit held at the City Hall in downtown Seoul.

The project, launched by the Seoul city government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, aims to address the country’s caregiver shortage and boost low birthrates.

“There is a need to find the best option for our situation by exploring alternatives, such as incorporating live-in arrangements like those in Hong Kong and Singapore or expanding the program to include multiple Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia,” Oh said.

"We will make an announcement as soon as we consult with the Employment Ministry."

The Filipino caregivers participating in the pilot program currently commute from their shared housing in southern Seoul. However, places like Hong Kong and Singapore have adopted live-in arrangements for these nannies, which save them accommodation and transportation costs.

Oh also mentioned the possibility of expanding the caregivers' duties beyond child care in the future.

“The program began with child care, but we may face a caregiving crisis down the line,” he said. "We will explore whether the program can be extended to include caregiving."

Under the current guidelines, domestic helpers are limited to child care and chores related to child care only.

On Aug. 6, 100 Filipino domestic caregivers arrived in Korea under the country’s Employment Permit System, or E-9 visa, and underwent a four-week training program before starting work on Sept. 3.

However, the program has faced ongoing criticism, particularly over its high costs and cases of caregivers leaving their positions. Two Filipino nannies who ran away on Sept. 15 without notice were arrested in Busan on Oct. 4 and deported last week.

The remaining 98 caregivers will work through late February as part of the pilot program.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]