Seoul's Filipino carer programme faces uncertainty amid private sector take over
While the trial period is set to end this month, a city official confirmed that ongoing services for taking part households will continue.
As the labour ministry has not yet decided whether to expand the initiative into a full-scale programme, private operators are expected to take over the service for the time being.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing over potential higher fees as the Filipino carer programme transitions to private management. Seoul's Filipino carer programme, launched to address South Korea's declining birth rate, faces uncertainty as it transitions to private management. Photo: EPA-EFE/YONHAP
Recently, companies managing Filipino carers notified users of a planned hourly rate hike from 13,940 won to 16,900 won (US$9.61 to US$11.63) starting on March 1. However, they later withdrew the decision after facing backlash. The labour ministry also clarified that the final service fee has yet to be determined.
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