Global Forum on Migration and Development
Published on the Global Forum on Migration and Development Web Portal (https://www.gfmd.org)


Date Shared: 
Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 14:45
Title: 

Happy Return Programme: Skills enhancement for Return and Reintegration

Countries and areas: 
Republic of Korea
Partner(s): 
National Government of the Republic of Korea, and Asian origin countries participating in the Employment Permit System.
Thematic Area: 
Labour migration and mobility
Tags: 
Migration Management, Return and Reintegration, Temporary and Circular Labour Migration, Livelihoods and Job Creation
Summary: 

The Korean Government’s Employment Permit System has integrated provision of free training and reintegration services with a view to minimising overstay by temporary migrant workers admitted under the EPS. In preparation for their return home, migrant workers can participate in the Happy Return Programme (introduced in 2009) for vocational training unrelated to current work (training and advisory services on entrepreneurship), pre-return recruitment services (assistance with applying for jobs in Korean companies located in the worker's home country) and administrative support (guidance and support for insurance benefit claims, such as departure guarantee insurance). These initiatives help workers continue using their newly-acquired skills.

GFMD Source: 

GFMD 2013-2014 - RT 2.1 Background Paper 'Enhancing the development impacts of labour migration and circular mobility through more systematic labour market and skills matching'

Link: 

For more information: https://www.eps.go.kr/en/supp/supp_02.jsp

Link to documents: 

- Pioneering a system of migration management in Asia: The Republic of Korea's Employment Permit System approach to decent work: 

http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_145630.pdf

- The Employment Permit System and the Filipino Migrant Workers in Korea:

https://www.kdevelopedia.org/mnt/idas/asset/2013/12/26/DOC/PDF/04201312260129797075063.pdf

 


Source (retrieved on 04/13/2026 - 20:16): https://www.gfmd.org/pfp/ppd/1689