한국의 외국인노동자 제도 개혁, 2003년

Foreign Labor Policy Reform of Korea in 2003: Industrial Technical Training Program and Employment Permit Program

2003년 8월 공포된 ‘외국인근로자의 고용 등에 관한 법률’은 외국인 고용허가제도와 산업연수제도를 병행하여 실시하는 것을 내용으로 하고 있다. 1994년부터 한국의 외국인노동자 정책의 근간이 되어 온 산업연수제도는 불법체류자를 양산하였고, 인권침해를 유발하였으며, 송출비리가 만연하는 등 치명적 문제점을 노정하였다. 이 글에서는 산업연수제도가 안고 있는 문제점을 규명하고, 그 대안으로써 고용허가제도를 제시하고 있다. 외국인노동자에 대한 차별을 정당화하고 있는 산업연수제도를 조속히 폐지하지 않고서는 고용허가제도의 성공을 보장할 수 없음을 밝히고 있다. 아울러 외국인노동자에 대한 차별의 시정은 제도 개혁뿐 아니라 한국인들의 의식 개혁이 수반되지 않으면 불가능하다는 점을 지적하고, 그 실천 프로그램을 제시하고 있다.

On August 16, 2003, the Act on Foreign Workers Employment, Etc. was legislated which stipulated the introduction of the Employment Permit Program (EPP) for foreigners. The main aim of EPP was not only to eradicate human rights violations, but also to substitute legal workers for undocumented workers. However, the Act states that EPP and the Industrial Technical Training Program (ITTP) work in tandem. The Korean government could not abolish the ITTP because it was difficult to introduce the EPP unless interests of employers ― such as the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KFSB) ― were protected. In this paper, I discuss various problems of ITTP and argue that the ITTP should be abolished as soon as possible. I propose the EPP as a solution to the above problems and discuss a detailed implementation plan of the system. This new system is based on the principles of local labor market complementarity and of non-discrimination of migrant workers. I also propose that the consciousness of Korean people be changed. It is necessary that the Koreans carry out consciousness raising programs. Such programs must instill an understanding that foreign migrant workers are humans just like Koreans, in spite of their differences in cultures and skin colors; that their cultures and traditions need to be respected equally to Koreans own; that these foreigners not only contribute Korean economy but also enriches Korean culture.