South Korea eyes hiring more Filipino caregivers

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 4) — A Korean envoy on Tuesday said the South Korean government is keen to hire more Filipino caregivers.

«I've been meeting with the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) because we are interested in sending Filipino caregivers to Korea,» South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa said on the sidelines of South Korea’s National Armed Forces Day in Taguig City.

«Filipino caregivers have high reputation worldwide and it will be, in our view, a great partnership between our countries,» he added.

South Korea is home to 60,000 overseas Filipino workers, Lee said.

The Korean envoy added that 100 Filipino caregivers are expected to arrive in South Korea before the year ends.

The Korea Times reported last January that nursing facility operators were urging the Korean government to hire foreigners due to the shortage of local caregivers.