Filipino caregivers arrive at Incheon International Airport, Aug. 6. Yonhap

A total of 24 households in Seoul were found to have canceled their contracts to hire Filipino workers as their nannies under the city's pilot program, according to officials on Thursday.

As of Thursday morning, 98 Filipino caregivers were employed by 169 households as full-time or part-time workers, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

When the program — designed to help alleviate Korea's fertility crisis — launched a month ago, 100 workers were sent to 142 households. However, 24 of these households canceled their contracts midway due to scheduling issues, among other reasons, officials said. Later, two workers suddenly became unreachable, and 51 households were newly permitted to participate in the program.

Over the past month, the program has received positive reviews from many households, but it has also sparked criticism.

With officials planning to expand the project nationwide next year after a six-month test period, many are calling for a thorough review to address various issues.

One of the issues is related to the treatment of the foreign workers. The nannies, who completed 160 hours of specialized training, experienced delays in receiving their training allowances. Two certified housekeeping companies were supposed to pay each housekeeper 950,000 won ($717) in advance and then claim reimbursement from the Ministry of Employment and Labor. However, due to financial constraints, these payments were delayed. Although the overdue allowances were eventually paid, only two weeks' worth were deposited on Sept. 20.

Complaints about a 10 p.m. curfew and long commutes and waiting times were also raised during an emergency meeting recently held by the city government.

The project has also drawn complaints from people who find the prices too high. Filipino caregivers are contracted to earn 2.38 million won ($1,797) per month, based on an eight-hour workday, which aligns with this year's minimum wage of 9,860 won per hour, including social insurance.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and some ruling party politicians have openly called for lowering their wage levels through a separate minimum wage system. However, their attempt to introduce such a system has not materialized due to legal issues and resistance from the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea.

Meanwhile, the recent unauthorized departure of two Filipino caregivers, who failed to return by the deadline, has raised concerns about the program's sustainability. The Seoul mayor, however, stressed the significance of utilizing foreign domestic services in addressing the challenges of a low birthrate era.

"Strategically utilizing foreign labor in the era of low birthrates is an essential alternative to enhance the competitiveness of the city and the nation," he said during an event held earlier this week.