The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday inked a joint memorandum with concerned government agencies to better safeguard Filipino seasonal farm workers in South Korea.

The agreement was signed by officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, and Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City, formalizing a whole-of-government mechanism for ethical recruitment and worker protection.

Officials from the Korean embassy and local executives from Pura in Tarlac, where the 47 outgoing workers are from, witnessed the signing.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac described the initiative as a significant milestone in the country’s enduring partnership with the Republic of Korea, noting that the memorandum aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a unified approach to overseas employment governance.

“This joint memorandum stands as one of the many concrete actions and a testament to what two peoples and two nations of long-standing history, strengthened by trust and united in purpose can achieve together,” Cacdac said in his speech.

He said South Korea and the Philippines have been good partners for 76 years, not only in trade and investment but also in education, tourism, defense, and people-to-people exchanges.

He said that the seasonal workers program opens up a mutually beneficial channel for Filipino workers who contribute their skills to Korea’s agro-industry sector. In turn, the Filipinos gain valuable experience and knowledge that they can share with their families and communities.

Cacdac said under the new framework, the DMW will oversee the recruitment, selection and documentation of seasonal farm workers, while the Philippine agencies will provide policy support and enforcement.

He said the coordination among agencies would ensure that workers are properly selected, oriented and monitored from pre-deployment to reintegration. The new guidelines would also prevent illegal recruitment, broker systems and unauthorized intermediaries.

To date, Cacdac said the DMW has already facilitated the deployment of over 11,700 Filipino seasonal workers to South Korea through local government partnerships.

Helen Relojero, 44, will be leaving for her fourth stint as a seasonal strawberry farm worker.

“Mas kampante po kami ngayon dahil protektado na kami ng DMW (We are more confident now because we are protected by DMW),” she said, adding that the DMW even expanded their access to welfare benefits, insurance and pre-departure orientation.

Relojero said her Korean employer treated her like family. Her five-month contract — from planting to harvest season – pays her between PHP60,000 and PHP70,000 monthly, excluding overtime pay. (PNA)