An article published in Rappler in November explores labour rights violations experienced by Filipino migrant workers during recruitment for jobs in South Korea.

The article explores reports of modern slavery in South Korea. It recounts the story of a Filipino migrant worker recruited from Paete to work as a farmer in South Korea. The worker was charged high recruitment fees and signed an agreement setting a P500,000 fine for those who fail to complete their contract. Upon arrival, the worker experienced abusive working conditions, including physically exhausting labour, working hours longer than his contract stipulated, and failure to pay overtime, among other abuses.

The article also says a Korean agency facilitating recruitment in Paete, Korean Company One Consulting Inc., is not licensed by the DMW. The company did not respond to Rappler’s request for comment.