Seoul, women activists coalition clash over foreign caregivers

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon gives a speech during the Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association's New Year's event in Seoul, Feb. 20. Yonhap

The Seoul Metropolitan Government strongly protested the Korean Women's Associations United's (KWAU) denunciation of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon as a "stumbling block to gender equality," saying it is an "unacceptable" political attack.

Marking International Women's Day, which fell on Friday, the KWAU released a list highlighting individuals and organizations hindering gender equality. Oh was identified as one of the obstacles.

The KWAU said that Oh devalued the importance of household work and played a leading role in discriminating against foreign workers who are hired to help households. In response, the city government said that the initiative aims to alleviate housework burden for women and help them to continue their careers.

Controversy arose when Oh proposed paying foreign workers less than the minimum wage while introducing a plan for foreign workers to undertake housekeeping, child care and nursing jobs. Some say this is discriminatory against foreign workers.

The six-month trial project is set to commence in Seoul this year, allowing 100 such workers from the Philippines to enter the country in line with the government's plan to introduce low-cost foreign labor to Korean households.

This initiative aims to alleviate the burden of women's housework and child care and address the labor shortage in caregiving services.

In addition, Oh endorsed the Bank of Korea's proposal. In its report, released on Tuesday, the bank recommended paying foreign caregivers wages below the legal minimum of 2.06 million won ($1,560) when hiring them.

Oh said on Facebook that if households are unable to work due to child care or nursing responsibilities or if they must spend excessively on hiring help, it could lead to widespread unhappiness for families and negatively impact the national economy.

During the National Assembly's audit last year, Oh said that for the introduction of foreign domestic helpers to be effective, the amount spent on them should be approximately 1 million won per month.

Shin Sun-jong, the spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, issued a statement late Thursday, criticizing the selection as a politically motivated attack, mentioning the KWAU as a "left-wing group."

He emphasized that the proposal to introduce foreign workers dedicated to household tasks is considered a preemptive measure to alleviate the housework burden on working women, prevent unnecessary career breaks due to childcare and facilitate a swift return to society.

Shin and the city government asserted that the KWAU's stance lacks basic information and understanding of the women-friendly policies promoted by the city government and the mayor.

Shin highlighted initiatives such as the opening of Seoul's first center dedicated to combating digital sex crimes, a one-stop support center for stalking victims, a support system for women affected by sex crimes using AI and distribution of emergency bells and safety alarms as key women-friendly policies.