On the morning of the 17th, citizens and foreign workers stand in line at the temporary screening office next to the Foreign Residents Support Headquarters in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do. News 1
Foreigners residing in Korea are experiencing confusion over the announcement of an administrative order by Seoul Metropolitan Government to require foreign workers working in Seoul to undergo a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) diagnostic test. There were voices saying that they were confused about who exactly should be tested, and that they were not sure why they should be tested.
Seoul on the 16th Announcement of’Administrative Order for Foreign Workers Diagnosis Test to Prevent the Spread of Corona 19′did. Accordingly, those who hire at least one foreign worker on the 17th and 31st and foreign workers must be inspected at the Temporary Screening Inspection Office. It was also said that failure to comply with the administrative order could result in fines being imposed on the workplace.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that it took such measures as there was a concern about spreading to the city of Seoul as a group infection continued in the Gyeonggi area industrial complex where foreign workers live in groups.
However, foreigners asked various questions through social network services (SNS) and responded that they were not sure what the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced. Foreign netizens asked Twitter, “It’s a confusing announcement. Are you asking for inspection by permanent residents? Are you talking about specially employed workers?” and “Does this measure apply to freelancers?”
Expatriates, sports players, and part-time foreigners are subject to inspection
On the morning of the 17th, foreigners and others are being tested at the temporary screening test for novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Seoul Guro Station Square. News 1
To summarize the coverage of the Hankook Ilbo on the 18th, Workers employed at workplaces in Seoul, and foreigners with established labor-management relations between employers and workers are subject to diagnostic tests.Becomes. As the collective infection of foreign workers has been pointed out as one of the reasons for the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak, the intention is to prevent spreading through foreign communities in advance.
① Expatriate employees dispatched to a Korean branch under a global companyShould be tested. This is because he is a worker belonging to the Korean branch. For example, German employees who have been dispatched for a long time to the Korean branch of the German automobile company BMW and Mercedes-Benz must undergo an inspection.
② Seoul correspondent of overseas mediaAlso, because I work in Seoul under the Korean branch, I have to undergo an inspection. An official from Seoul explained in a talk with the Hankook Ilbo that “basically, all employees (workers) working in Seoul are subject to inspection.”
③ Foreign players belonging to domestic professional sports teams such as baseball, basketball, volleyball, etc.Is employed by the business owner, so it is necessary to undergo a corona 19 test.
④ Foreign students working part-time in SeoulThe same goes for it. Although he is an international student, he is working with a business owner in labor-management relations. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is taking measures so that foreign workers who are staying illegally can be inspected with confidence.
Freelancers and diplomats are not subject to prosecution
On the afternoon of the 17th, foreign workers are waiting for corona 19 testing at the temporary screening center for the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) at the sports complex in Chunui-dong, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. News 1
On the other hand ①Freelancers fall out of the test. Because it is not a worker whose labor-management relationship is established.to be. A Seoul city official said, “It is difficult to classify freelancers as workers because they do not have an employer.”
On the other hand ②The work place is Gyeonggi or Incheon, but foreigners who travel to and from Seoul for work do not need to undergo examination.. An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, “It is limited to workers who have established labor-management relations in the workplace,” and said, “Collective infection does not occur between individual foreigners.”
③ Diplomats working at each country’s embassy are also not subject to the test.. Seoul’s explanation is that diplomats cannot be viewed as workers in the workplace. Accordingly ④Diplomats’ families don’t even need to be tested.. ⑤ International students and language school students residing in Seoul You don’t need to be tested.
Seoul “I didn’t know there were so many questions from foreigners”
British BBC Seoul correspondent Laura Beaker posted a post on Twitter on the 16th, criticizing the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s action to issue an administrative order to conduct a diagnostic test for the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) for foreign workers. Laura Beaker Twitter Capture
However, there are criticisms of the lack of preparation in advance before the Seoul City issued an administrative order. Even the city of Seoul has not yet figured out exactly who needs to be inspected.
When the Hankook Ilbo asked the Seoul city’whether foreigners who are staying for a short period of time for business reasons are included in the subject of inspection’, he replied, “A matter requiring confirmation.” An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, “If you are a foreigner staying between the 17th and 31st of the inspection period, you will have to undergo an inspection,” he said. “It was not possible to inform whether a short-term visa was included.”
In fact, the city of Seoul seems to be wandering with inquiries about the subject of inspection. A Seoul city official said, “Because of the various types of residence, many questions about unforeseen cases come in,” and “I will supplement the standards so that there is no confusion.”
Some point out that the lack of prior guidance only fueled confusion among foreigners. British BBC Seoul correspondent Laura Bicker said on her Twitter on the 16th, “The city of Seoul is compulsory for corona19 testing, which is causing confusion among foreigners living in Seoul.” Pointed out.
Accordingly, the city of Seoul has hurried to work on translating administrative orders into various languages. Regarding the lack of guidance, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, “Currently, the administrative order is being translated into multiple languages,” and said, “We will continue to respond to the consultation center as well.”
Lee Sang-min “Unfair discrimination must be withdrawn immediately”
Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party, posted a post on Facebook on the 17th, criticizing the mandate to inspect the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) for foreign workers in Seoul. Lee Sang-min Facebook capture
Some criticize foreign workers for racism and human rights violations by specifying foreign workers as the subject of inspection obligations.
Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party, said on his Facebook page, “It is ridiculous for unfair racism against foreigners,” and “It may be embarrassed internationally. We demand that we withdraw immediately.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that “we considered quarantine as a top priority.” At a briefing on the 18th, Seoul City’s Citizen Health Bureau Director Park Yoo-mi said at a briefing on the 18th that the proportion of foreigners among confirmed patients in Seoul during the last three months is on the rise to 6.3%, and that inspection is inevitable to prevent the spread.
Ryuho reporter [email protected]
Jang Yoon-seo Intern reporter
News directly edited by the Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver.
