Amnesty International Report on Korea (2009)

Amnesty International is submitting this briefing to the UN Committee on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights (the Committee) in view of its forthcoming examination of third periodic
report by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on the implementation of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Covenant) during its 43 session
between 2-20 November 2009. The briefing is not an exhaustive review of the government’s
implementation of the Covenant, but highlights specific concerns about the rights of migrant
workers.
In particular, this briefing looks at the failure of South Korea to respect and protect the rights
of migrant workers under Articles 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 of the Covenant. The briefing
summarises Amnesty International’s concerns around the treatment of migrant workers,
including their vulnerability to human rights and labour rights abuses because of the
restrictions on labour mobility; failure of the government to enforce and monitor health and
safety at workplaces, discriminatory treatment experienced by migrant workers; sexual
harassment and violence against female migrant workers ; failure to guarantee the right of
migrant workers to form trade unions, trafficking of female migrant workers for sexual
exploitation; and detention of migrant workers.
Detailed Report is available Here.