The POEA belies the report that recruitment of OFWs for Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS) has stopped because of irregularities in the system. Jennifer J. Manalili, POEA Chief said that the EPS continues and to date, 20,799 workers have been deployed. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering the EPS which expires on October 20, 2008 is also under negotiation for renewal.

Manalili said, “There are no irregularities in the conduct of EPS in the Philippines. In fact, Korea considers the POEA-DOLE implementation of the program as best practice among other participating countries.”

At present, the Philippines cannot replenish its labor quota of 11,000 for 2008 due to lack of workers who have already passed the Korean Language Test (KLT).

A new service commitment agreement (SCA) between the new test agency and HRD Korea which is needed before a new KLT can be conducted in the Philippines is still being finalized. The KLT was last held in the country in May 2007.