Hanjin’s Subic Project: Case of Labor Abuse?

Hanjin Heavy CEO Cho Nam-ho


Hanjin Heavy Industries has helped significantly improve living conditions in the coastal Subic town in the Philippines over the past three years with bold investments in building its massive shipyard. But there is little co-celebration, as the development that claimed the lives of 19 local workers has left more of a bitter resentment in the community.

A total of 19 workers died in 17 accidents since 2006 at the Hanjin Heavy Industries' shipyard inside the Subic Bay Freeport zone, northwest of Manila, prompting a Senate to finally investigate the worksite last month to determine who was at fault.

Local labor groups and opposition political parties claim that the Korean firm is responsible for exploiting locals under dangerous working environments, but Hanjin officials have been trying to dodge the blame.

The country's labor department said that as of Feb. 20, some 30 of the 55 Hanjin subcontractors had been inspected and found to have violated 11 general labor standards and 10 occupational safety and health standards, according to local news reports.

The data also showed that Hanjin, which currently employs more than 16,000 locals, has underpaid its workers, cost-of-living allowances, overtime and holiday wages. Laborers were also not given proper safety gear such as gas masks or goggles while on duty.

Most of the deaths were caused by getting hit by falling objects, Philippine authorities said.

The workplace, which has churned out orders for 42 vessels, bulk carriers and oil tankers so far, is so life-threatening that one congressman labeled it as becoming a "graveyard."

But Hanjin officials brushed off the allegations, claiming that the accidents and deaths resulted from the workers' not having taken safety precautions.

"We did what we can do ensure the highest level of safety at the site," said a company spokesman, who declined to be named. "We do admit our fault as an employer, but we shouldn't be blamed solely."

He stressed that the Korean shipbuilder has fully compensated the families for the fatalities, regretting that the dispute is now getting politicized.

"The only thing we can do is continue to enforce safety training, but these efforts are meaningless if laborers behave irresponsibly at the site," said the official. "We're professional and we understand and uphold the highest standards."

Hanjin's Subic facility was built due to capacity constraints in Korea, and it is currently building its second shipyard in the southern Philippines, which is set for completion in 2017.

When Going Gets Tough, Women Turn to Pink

Ladies: The next time you feel a little droopy and defeated, put on a dab of pink for an instant pick-me-up, advise color and cosmetics experts, who say that the bright shade is proven to make women feel happier and prettier.

"The color pink is perfect for lifting moods," said Lee Hae-jin, a spokeswoman of LG Household & Healthcare, which makes cosmetics brands Ohui and Isa Knox. "What better time is there than now to use this kind of effect?"

Being a color of fun, confidence and new beginning, pink is set to take center stage this spring right through the economic downturn, she said, adding that local cosmetics firms are competing to put out their best shades to win over shoppers searching for that perfect fit.

Amore Pacific released its latest "Fleur" collection, which offers a full range of spring make-up in different pink tones. LG H&H and Coreana have also introduced new lines that include everything from lip gloss to eye shadow.

"If you think pink is just pink, you've got some studying to do," said an Amore spokeswoman, who explained that there are dozens of pink shades to go with all types of skin color.

So does pink really have a psychological effect?

Jen Rhee, a color specialist at Park Jun's Beauty Lab, says she doesn't know study results, but "could attest that it's definitely more cheerful to see women in pink than black."

She exemplified celebrities like Paris Hilton, who dress entirely in pink, and character Elle Woods from the film "Legally Blonde," a bouncy young woman who saw life through a happy lens.

"You don't have to go drastically pink and look crazy, but just add a bright shade here and there for an emotional boost,'' said Rhee, adding it will brighten up other people's moods, ``especially men, who can't put on the color as conveniently as women."

Last year, Pantone, the world's color authority, forecast yellow as the in color for 2009. But since then, other brighter hues, including shades of pink ― from bubblegum to fuchsia ― have become popular in women's wardrobes.

Cardinal Stephen Kim Dies At 86

Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, one of the most revered religious leaders in Korea, died Monday. He was 86.

Cardinal Kim was sent to Gangnam St. Mary's Hospital due to his frail condition in July last year and had been reportedly in a critical condition before falling into a coma briefly early Saturday morning. He passed away at 6:12 p.m. Monday.

He was born as the youngest of seven siblings in a poor but devout Catholic family in the southeast city of Daegu in 1922. His grandfather died in prison after being persecuted for being a Roman Catholic. He studied philosophy at Sophia University in Tokyo from 1941 to 1944 and the Catholic University of Korea from 1947 to 1951.

In 1963, he went to Germany to study theology and sociology at the Munster University and his educational drive went on as he received honorary doctorates from many universities throughout his career, including Seoul National University, Seton Hall University of the United States and the Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines.

I did not know that the Cardinal and me studied at the same university. =) I studied at the Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines where I earned my degree of AB Sociology.

Dating Goes Penny-Wise

Until last winter, Jin Sung-jin treated every blind date to a classy dinner at a swanky restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul's posh district, and a cocktail-and-jazz bar afterward. Now, he escorts girls to T.G.I. Friday's, where a free appetizer and dessert are included in a value meal.

Doing the math, the 29-year-old public relations manager figured that his previous dating style, which easily cost him 120,000 won ($100) per outing, was enough to go on two cheaper dates.

"I can't keep up with that kind of lifestyle anymore," said Jin, who recently lost 30 percent of his savings through stocks and funds. ``But I still want to continue dating so that I can get married soon.''

So instead of whisking women to posh venues, he started exploring destinations that were less costly, but creative.

"You can't go wrong with a museum," said Jin, who also opts to go ice skating or bike riding on a warmer day. "Sometimes, these activities turn out to be better than sitting in a fancy bar or cafe, because you get to learn more about the other person."

Jin is right, says Yoon Ji-ae, a consultant at Date Coach, an online site that provides dating advice.

She said dating shouldn't be an expensive event that excessively pressures men.

"Unfortunately, the reality is that the expense most often fall on males, so they are the ones having to stress over the money crunch," said Yoon, who explained that many singles are starting to downgrade from gourmet restaurants to casual rendezvous.

A recent survey by job portal Career of 1,000 people showed that 40 percent of men decided to break up with their girlfriends for financial reasons.

While bachelors are outright squeezed by the economic downturn, Kim Ji-sun, a 27-year-old who actively dates, says women are also forced to adjust around the reality.

"I used to buy a new outfit for every first date. It made me feel better and confident," she said, "but I stopped doing that this year. It's just too much money."

To save on outfits, Kim even started swapping clothes with her close girlfriends, who also want a new mix of clothes for their romantic outings.

Yoon, the dating coach, says there is a general understanding that people are tight on money, so both men and women shouldn't be shy about cutting their budgets.

"Go to the movies, watch a sports game at an open stadium, take a walk in the scenic parts of town ― there is so much to do," she said, stressing, "If your date has a problem with the little money spent, he or she isn't worth dating."

Spending on Daily Necessities Falling to 10-Year Low

Kim Shin-hyung, 38, a Seoul-based salaried worker, complains about his shrinking monthly allowance these days. Citing the ongoing economic downturn, his wife, a middle school teacher, told Kim that they should slash spending and save more.

"I understand what my wife, who manages our household finance, is trying to do. But I would still like to hang out and drink with friends and colleagues at night as much as I want to. But with less money in my pocket, I have no choice but to reduce the number of drinking bouts and come straight home from work more often," he lamented.

Kim then said he and his wife have been getting paid on time. But they expect things to turn from bad to worse down the road, with many businesses downsizing their workforce and sending thousands of workers onto the street.

"A year ago, my wife got me a new suit for spring at a department store and I bought her a nice dress. But this time, I do not think we will be buying new clothes. Additionally, we used to eat out at least four times a week, spending more than 50,000 won each time. But to save money, my wife goes to the grocery store more often these days and cooks at home, even though she is tired after a long day of teaching," he said.

Like Kim and his wife, many Koreans are slashing spending on clothes, food and other daily essentials to cope with slower income growth and falling asset values amid the ongoing worldwide economic slowdown. Consumption of automobiles and other durable goods has plunged at a much steeper pace.

According to the National Statistical Office (NSO) Monday, household spending on clothes, food, housing and other daily necessities dropped 7 percent in December from a year earlier, the largest decrease since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.

Sales of clothes and other textile products fell 18.2 percent from a year ago, the biggest decline since 2006, when the statistical office began compiling data. Normally, consumers buy more clothes toward the year's end in preparation for winter, peaking in December. Such was not the case last year, as families cut spending to deal with worsening economic conditions.

Sales of shoes and bags dropped 11.5 percent, while revenues earned by restaurants and other eateries shrank 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 from a year ago, the largest decline since 1999.

A drop in restaurant revenue indicates that more people refrained from dining out and instead, ate at home in a bid to save money.

"Spending on clothes and other daily necessities has fallen at a faster clip than initially expected, showing that consumers are increasingly concerned about their income flow and job security. The sluggish private consumption will likely deepen further for the foreseeable future, as economic conditions will turn from bad to worse," an NSO official said.

Additionally, makers of automobiles and other durable goods are suffering even more from stagnant private consumption. Auto production went down 48.4 percent last month from a year earlier, as consumers became reluctant to spend big bucks on the big-ticket item. It was the largest output decrease since July 2006, when operations were halted by strikes.

This AD...

What do you think:-)

Korea, Philippines Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Ties

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal relations between South Korea and the Philippines.

Confucius described sixty years as the period of maturity, and that's what the two countries witness as they prepare grand celebrations for the anniversary.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz told The Korea Times, " With six decades of close partnership behind us, I expect the friendship between our countries to further intensify as we build on past achievements to propel a relationship that is not only enduring, but also mutually beneficial.''

The two countries knotted formal ties in 1949, one year before the outbreak of the Korean War.

After the war broke out, the Philippines deployed its first combat unit under the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) in September 1950, marking the third member country of the United Nations Command to send troops following the United States and the United Kingdom.

During the three-year war, a total of 7,420 Filipino men fought in the country for freedom and democracy, which was on the verge of extinction.Among the thousands of Filipino soldiers were Fidel V. Ramos, who later become Philippine President; and Col. Nicanor Jimenez and Gen. Ernesto Gidaya, who were later posted to Korea as ambassadors.

In Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, a monument is dedicated to the PEFTOK, and Philippine diplomats and Koreans pay a visit there every year to commemorate the troops' efforts.

People-to-People Exchanges

The Philippines stands atop unassailably when it comes to people-to-people exchanges with Korea.

Korean citizens living in the Philippines number nearly 70,000 and Filipinos in Korea, 50,000, according to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

Ambassador Cruz said, "People-to-people exchanges have been one of the proud cornerstones of our relations. A few decades ago, only a handful of Koreans live in the Philippines and vice versa.
One of my favorite anecdotes is from Chang Chi-ryang, one of the first Korean ambassadors to Manila, who narrated how air travel between the two nations started with only one flight a week, carrying only five passengers for the inaugural flight.

Today, there are more than five flights daily; most of the time, these are fully booked.''

Koreans in the Philippines

The Philippines without Koreans is now unthinkable.
Seventy thousand Koreans are by far the largest ethnicity of immigrants to the country, having painted a significant picture in Filipino society, especially in the economy.

Filipino shops, tour resorts and restaurants targeting Korean residents and tourists are expanding, accounting for a significant proportion of the country's domestic economy.

According to a public encyclopedia, Korean expatriates in the Philippines spend between $800 and $1,000 per month, making an "aggregate contribution of over $1 billion per year in consumer spending.''

The mild climate and an affordable cost of living in the Southeast Asian country have made the country an attractive destination for retirement or investment to many Koreans. Furthermore, many Korean students enroll in English language institutes there.

Korean tourists also flock to the country for its climate and affordability.

Filipinos in Korea

For nearly 50,000 Filipinos in Korea, the 60th anniversary is not a cause for celebration but a reminder of unresolved matters.

Emely Abagat, 40, a Catholic missionary helping Filipino migrant workers in Korea for the past five years, said that she would like to see workers' human rights and cultural acceptance improve in the future.

"I want to see friendly working conditions and a more culture-friendly atmosphere,'' she said.
Her statement echoed the ambassador, whose priority, since he arrived last year, has been campaigning for cultural openness and the protection of migrant workers, whose rights are sometimes not respected by Korean employers.

Filipino migration to Korea has been driven mainly by economics. With per capita gross domestic product staying at around $2,000 with a high poverty rate, Filipinos' migration to one of Asia' largest economies has grown since the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.

Abagat also urged the Korean government to stop discriminating against Filipinos when recruiting English language instructors.

Coming from a Filipino academic background with a doctorate in education, Abagat has had first-hand experience of being turned down when applying for an English teaching position in Korea.
The Korean government last month announced that it would lift restrictions on English-speaking Filipinos teaching English in Korea.

The missionary said, "It's commendable, but I really want to push the government to take concrete action, not just approving on paper.''

Ambassador Cruz said, "Thousands of Filipinos have found a second home in Korea, many of whom stay here as workers, students, missionaries, professionals or spouses of Korean nationals.
I expect this trend to grow as our relations mature and our people become more aware of each other's culture and history.

With their hard work and open mind, they not only help the economies of both the Philippines and South Korea, but also contribute to the globalization of South Korean society as they take an active part in promoting multiculturalism and enriching South Korea's pool of ideas and talent.

"Look around you and you will see pantheons of Filipino culture all around Hyehwa-dong, in the academic circles, in restaurants, in workplaces and in Korean households.
Similarly, Korean presence in the Philippines has become stronger than ever.''

How to Celebrate

The entire year will be a time of celebration.

The Philippine Embassy is planning diverse cultural presentations and lectures, at least two of which are worthy of note.

One is the launching of a documentary film on Filipino participation in the Korean War. "The Forgotten War'' features stories of soldiers from the war and includes special interviews with Filipino veterans including former President Ramos.

The date of screening hasn't been set yet, but the embassy said, "We hope to do it soon.''

The second eye-catching activity is "One Philippines,'' an exhibition on the Philippines.
The venue will be City Hall Plaza in Seoul.

The two-day event, slated for May 30 and 31, will feature tourism, trade, retirement options and education.

It will also present Filipino dishes, parades, street dances and a fashion show.

Beginning in March, the Korean government, will offer various cultural events, including firework shows, a foreign ministry official said.

Happy New Year In The Snow

Be Thankful to Be Happy

Some 65 percent of Koreans said they are happy and grateful, according to a survey of 1,000 adults by Media Research, Monday, with an average ``happiness score'' of 14.3 out of 20.

Age, sex, educational background, marriage and religion had little influence on happiness, according to the survey, jointly conducted by The Hankook Ilbo, a sister paper of The Korea Times. Instead, the key to happiness was gratitude ㅡ the average happiness level of those who are thankful in their daily lives was 16.6, almost double the 8.9 of those who lacked gratitude.

Thankfulness was a more important ingredient than wealth in making people happy: The happiness level of those having little appreciation was low, between 8 and 10.3, whether they earned less than one million won per month or more than five million won; but the level of those with much gratitude ranged from 15.7 to 17.1 regardless of income.

"Positive psychology, a recent branch of psychology studying virtues that enable individuals to thrive, emphasizes gratitude as a factor for happiness. The theory says gratefulness makes people happier than accomplishment and satisfaction, pleasure, or self-esteem," said Kim Joo-hoan, a Yonsei University professor.

In regard to the worldwide economic slowdown, 76 percent said they think the situation was very serious, particularly those running their own businesses and earning less than one million won monthly.

When asked whether they are happier now than a year before, 35.5 percent said yes. Some 50 percent said their happiness level was similar to that of a year ago, while only 13.6 percent said they were less happy.

"It means that despite people have economic difficulty, they are trying to remain happy," Kim said.

Respondents were also positive about their ability ㅡ more than 67 percent said they were confident about overcoming difficulty

Merry X-mas!

To everyone in this cold day

May your hearts grow warm and happy

With the joyous greetings of this new day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

No Snow Expected for X'mas

Today is December 22, 3 days before Christmas. As reported in today's Korea Times, there is no snow to be expected on Christmas.


The news report states:

A cold spell combined with a gust of wind is expected to grip the whole country today, driving temperatures down to as low as minus 9 degree Celsius, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Sunday. The biting cold is likely to continue Tuesday with snow falling in part of Gangwon Province and the western part of Chungcheong Province and South Jeolla Province. The weather agency expects snowfall to be unlikely on Christmas Eve and Christmas.


It will be just be cold and snowfall is unlikely on Christmas. It is already cold but it will be just colder on Christmas! The cold season will ease up going towards the weekend.


I guess there is no white Christmas to be expected this year.

Rainy Days

Bad things happen during rainy days.

It is so annoying when it is

wet at the pants and the socks.

It is slippery in the subway.

The day is dark.

It is difficult to walk because

umbrellas are hitting other umbrellas on the street.

It is hard to put umbrellas in

vinyl bags at the mall and at the cinema.

Some drivers say the f*** word on the road.

When it rains even for a minute, it makes us uncomfortable.

A bad memory that we want to erase from our minds.

Good things on rainy days

Makgeolli (korean rice wine) is so delicious.

Do You Like Coffee?

How often do you drink coffee?

It is a neccessary item for students to wake up.

Also, working people take

coffee to relieve stress.

Its one of the best items to

enjoy and to relax.

There are so many bad words for coffee -such as caffeine- but

if you can control your drinking,

it helps blood pressure, and

prevents stomach and lung

cancer.

Ah, it's proven to kill bad breath.

Do you know this?

Always stay in the middle to enjoy the coffee you like.

Our History

We've been married for four years.

My husband and I met in February 2004. And in five months, we were married.

I didn't even know how to cook. But he bought two recipe books of Korean food. And since we started living first in the Philippines, most of the ingredients of Korean food are not available there. So we just have kimchi as side dish.

Now, we are living here in South Korea. Since I can't speak the Korean language I applied for a job which I am qualified for - an English teacher. I gave the hagwon owner my college diploma and my TEFL certificate.



But if I am given an opportunity, I want to go back to my field of retail.

I worked for ten years in retail. In those ten years, I was first into the category of ladies' casual wear. Then I moved to children's wear. Then it became the accessories department. And then, I moved to system management.


In my last retail job, I was handling the skincare and men's department/accessories. Skincare is the biggest category in terms of sales in Watson's.

I find it exciting looking for products to sell as well as monitoring the sales of products. Looking for products is not just limited to a specific country; it can even cross country boundaries.

A Rainy Thursday Morning

It is raining today, a Thursday. As expected, it is already very cold.

Last night, on our way home, the sky was not clear. It was full of clouds. So I thought, it would rain tomorrow.

Now it is raining. And also very cold. Tonight, when we go home, it will be so cold. B-B-R-R-R! I think I will bring an extra jacket when I leave for class.

A Very Cold Thursday Morning

Today is November 20, a Thursday. There was snow in parts of the provinces as of yesterday. Today, we are expecting snow here in Anyang.

Last night, when we went home, I did not feel my toes that I thought they have been already lost. At the intersection, instead of just standing still, I kept on moving in order to put some heat into my legs.

And this morning, I did not feel like taking a shower because of the cold weather. I have to wait for the hot water, really hot water, in order to shower.

The Start of the Cold Season

Today is November 17, a Monday. It is already so cold we might be expecting snow any time soon.

The leaves of the trees have already already fallen. Some trees do not have any leaves. But some still do. But with the rapid falling down of leaves, all trees will no longer have leaves soon.

It was predicted yesterday that today will be very cold. But today, at noontime, I can see the sun shining. Maybe tonight.

It's been so cold this past week that my cold won't go away. I feel so stupid because I sound like a broken down radio.

Yesterday, we went to sauna in order to be relieved of my cold. I brought my mobile phone with me. But inside the changing room I can't use the telephone so I left it inside the locker room. The women in there will kill me. Taking pictures is not allowed in that area because naked women and girls walk, bathe, and put on clothes. Some even lie down on chairs naked.

Saunas are common here and in Japan. But in other countries, they are not.

Cold Weather

It is now very cold here in South Korea. Just cold, according to my husband. But for me, someone not used to the cold weather, this season is indeed very cold.

We have already bought clothes for the winter season. During the day until about six in the evening, I can still tolerate the weather. But come night time, the weather is already very cold!

Last night, with my class ending at 12 midnight, I went home shivering to the cold weather. B-R-R-R-R! So cold! It was so cold in my legs I have a hard time walking. But I walked and walked. Or else, I could have slept in my school.

But instead of going directly home, we need to pass by three shops in order to buy food. The relief offered by the warm shops was indeed very good!

We arrived home at 1 in the morning.

Waking Up Late on a Non-Working Day

Today, October 11, a Saturday, is a non-wrking day.

I only have work from Mondays to Fridays. On weekends, I don't have work. It's a relief. I get to do things I usually can't do on a working day.

I was able to do my lesson plans on two classes. Will do the rest later or tomorrow. Then I watched two episodes of Life. The two episodes were okay but the I liked the second episode better than the first one.

The second episode was about taking steroids. They found a dead man, dead on the bottom of a pool. The police were able to hold two punks who told them that they got of the steroids from a fitness gym.

The police talked with the owner of the fitness gym but he couldn't give them the list of clients because of customer confidentiality. After a lot of twists and turns, they were finally able to arrest the mastermind of a group of young kids. One of them ended up dead.

It was a nice story. A good episde with a moral lesson in the end.

Day of Korean Language

Today, October 9, a Thursday, is Korean Language Day.

How do you speak the Korean language or Hangul? First, the letters are different. The letter a is not written as an "a" but as ㅏ. Melon candy is written as 메론켄디.

Also, the sentence structure in the Korean language is different from the English language because the verb is at the end. So you have to listen to a Korean until the end of his sentence so you will know what he means.

Even my name is written differently. Since married female Koreans do not change their surnames to their husbands' last name, I have to do the same here. But since my last name is so long (Gutierrez), they have to cut it to 에레즈.

Even the way they say things here are different. You say "Hello" when answering the phone but in Korean language you say "yo bo seyo."

Even the way you greet people are different. Usually, you just wave your hand, smile and say "Hi." But in here, it depends on the person you are greeting. If the same age, you say anyong haseyo. But if he or she is a colleague or a teacher, you bow (up to the waist) and say "an yong haseyo."

Even the way you speak to elders are different. To show respect, you have to say "yo" at the end. For example, you are asking an older person if his coffee is sweet. Instead of just saying "tara" or sweet, you say "tarayo."