Foreign helpers in South Korea, mostly Philippines, found overworked and underpaid

The Seoul Metropolitan Government launched the foreign housekeeper pilot program in September 2024, involving 100 workers primarily from Southeast Asia to serve over 150 households.

The initiative, which ended in December last year, aimed to alleviate a shortage of domestic labor and support women staying in the workforce.

A study published in a journal by the Korea Association for Immigration Policy and Administration surveyed 21 Filipino housekeepers in their 20s and 30s along with two translators.

The findings revealed that participants earned an average monthly wage of 1.92 million won (US$1,303) during the initial six months. After mandatory deductions for accommodation and insurance, the actual take-home pay for these workers dropped to approximately 1.18 million won per month. This figure is less than half of the 3.74 million won average monthly income recorded for South Koreans in 2024.

Beyond financial concerns, participants reported being pressured to perform duties outside their agreed scope of work.

These additional responsibilities included washing dishes, caring for pets, and providing English tutoring for children.

"We must ... reevaluate the value of child care, recognize the economic value of housekeeping labor, and foster a virtuous cycle of providing high quality housekeeping services and jobs," professor Lee Mi-ae of Jeju National University, who conducted the survey, was quoted in a report by Yonhap.

Despite these challenges, the program has transitioned into an official phase.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced in March last year that "following the end of the pilot program of foreign housekeeping workers, starting from March 4, 89 workers will officially begin to provide childcare services to 148 households."

This group includes 135 households from the original pilot and 13 new participants, while an additional 102 households remain on a waiting list following adjustments to service charges.

Lee Bong-jae, CEO of Home Story Life, the service provider for the program, emphasized the necessity of the service for local families.

He was quoted in a statement as saying that "foreign housekeeping workers are playing a supporting role in relieving burdens of households, which are in desperate need of caregiving efforts. We will keep working hard to consolidate this program following the extension of the program."

The ongoing expansion of the program highlights the tension between the demand for affordable childcare and the need for fair labor practices for migrant workers.