Hundreds of people in Nghe An scramble to register Korean language tests
According to Phan Van Minh, Director of Overseas Labour Centre, under the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, a large number of labour brokers are very active in Nghe An. Many of them hold Korean language courses and collect illegally money from labourers, promising that these courses will qualify them to move to South Korea. After paying, many of the clients found out that the brokers hold no official weight with Korean immigration.
Le Van Tien, Thanh Chuong District, was cited by Tien Phong Newspaper as saying that, recently, he went to Vinh City to find the Korean teaching centre and an acquaintance introduced him to a broker, named H,. who promised to help Tien to get to South Korea for a fee of USD6,000. Tien gave H. a deposit of USD2,000.
On December 13, Tien was shocked to discover that there were no courses being given and that he had to attend a Korean language test in Hanoi on December 17.
Bui Nguyen Lan, Director of the Nghe An Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs admitted that bad management by local authorities has led to a situation where many dishonest brokers take advantage of their clients. He added that this compels them to go to Hanoi for testing, which costs them more.
According to Lan, the department has warned locals about brokerage services, through television and newspapers ads, as well as through official written warnings sent to specific localities.
In the northern Province of Nam Dinh, Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, a former official of a provincial job centre has recently been accused of taking money from a number of people who wanted to work abroad. Ngoc allegedly promised to help them get jobs in other countries but did not make good on her promise.
Tran Phu Cuong, Nam Dinh City, of Ha Long Ward, accused Ngoc of taking USD6,000 for a promise to ensure his trip to South Korea successfully and quickly. After he found out that the trip was not possible, he demanded his money back.
Ngoc, however, claims that she received the money as a loan and has already repaid it. The inspection agency of the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs is currently looking into the case.
In reality Ngoc had no means of ensuring emigration to South Korea. These job centres can only assist in the process, aiding with documentation and sometimes language training. In reality they have no authority about who is actually admitted. The South Korean government has the sole authority to admit immigrants.
