Filipino caregivers arrive at Incheon International Airport, Aug. 6. The majority of Koreans who have been using the Filipino caregiver service, say they are satisfied with their work performance, according to a survey. Joint Press Corps

The majority of Koreans who have been using services provided by Filipino caregivers said they were satisfied with their work performance, according to a survey.

According to a report released on Friday by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 84 percent of the 112 Seoul households participating in the six-month trial scheme, a joint effort by the ministry and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, expressed satisfaction with the services, while 12 percent described their view as "neutral."

Asked whether, given the chance, they would use such services given by workers from other nations and which one they would prefer, 21 percent picked Vietnam, followed by Indonesia (15 percent), Myanmar (10 percent), Cambodia (7 percent), Nepal (6 percent) and any of the English-speaking countries (5 percent) as well as Sri Lanka (5 percent). While 17 percent said they were unsure, 14 percent said none.

These results come as officials are pondering whether to expand the program to hire foreign caregivers to help alleviate Korea's fertility crisis, with the pilot policy set to end on Feb. 28. Currently, 98 workers from the Philippines are providing services in Seoul as the central and city governments reassess the plan to import 1,200 caregivers this year amid issues about a higher-than-expected service cost among others.

Speaking to The Korea Times in October, a city official said Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam were among the countries under review for the expansion of the program, saying 17 nations that send workers to Korea through the Employment Permit System would likely be selected as new partners.

The ministry report suggests both the Korean parents and the workers are generally pleased with the program.

When asked whether they would want to continue to use the services provided through the program, 84 percent said they would. Moreover, 85 percent said they would recommend it to others.

Meanwhile, 73 percent of the 98 Filipino caregivers said they want to continue to work here. Eighty of them (82 percent) said they would recommend working in Korea as caregivers for reasons such as higher wages than other countries and a good working environment.

Asked about their biggest challenges, 65 workers picked the high cost of living, followed by communication problems.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, ministry officials said more time is needed to decide whether to expand the city scheme into a national program due to issues about a lack of demand and the high service cost.

The monthly cost of hiring a full-time Filipino caregiver, including social insurance fees, was more than 2.3 million won ($1,590) even before this year's minimum hourly wage increased to 10,030 won. It is deemed high for most Korean households, which earn 5.25 million won a month on average. Many are concerned that the cost will increase substantially once private firms participating in the project take over its operation.

"The issue of the high cost has been raised frequently since the launch of the program. But I think the cost would not increase much from the current level," an official said.

Given the direness of Korea's total fertility rate — the world's lowest level at 0.72 — the cost may be worth accepting, said another official, adding that there will not be much of an improvement in the figure unless the burden of child care is addressed successfully.