Human Resource Department (HRD) South Korea is planning to hold Korean language test– Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) – at the end 2012. 

Next TOPIK exam will be held only after 2008 batch of Employment Permit System (EPS) returned to the country, said vice-president of Global Workforce Unit of South Korea Nam-Ihl Kim after meeting with Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Transport Management Dr Ramhari Aryal.

“If the 2008 batch will not returned in time it will decrease quota to Nepal and also affect TOPIK schedule,” he warned. According to him, about 15,000 Nepalis working in South Korea and of them 2,000 are in illegal workers. Currently, about 10,000 EPS workers are working in the destination. 

He expressed dissatisfaction in growing illegal Nepali workers in South Korea and urged the government to work in the side. “Run away from job is increasing among Nepali workers,” he said. However, popularity of Nepali workers has not decreased among employers of the destination. Korean employer love Nepali workers but they should be more disciplined for the continuity of the EPS process, he said. 

South Korea is a lucrative destination to Nepali workers where a EPS jobholder can earn $ 1,000 (Rs 78,000) in a month. Salary offered in South Korea is at least five timed more than popular destinations– Malaysia and Gulf countries. Cost for an EPS job $ 970.20 (Rs 75,675) is lowest among popular destinations. About 57,000 youths had applied for EPS-TOPIK this year and 51,000 of them had appeared in the test. About 15,298 applicants had passed the language proficiency test hold in August. Currently, EPS Nepal has been taking skill test of applicants who have passed TOPIK with full mark. 

HRD South Korea and EPS Nepal are planning to give priority to 2,500 job aspirants who succeeded in skill test. Successful candidate in skill test will join their jobs in South Korea within six months, said Mahesh Acharya, director at EPS Nepal office.

Published on: 23 October 2011 | The Himalayan Times