Consider just how bad joblessness is in the country.

A call for a mere three-month tenure has attracted more than 2,000 applications.

The Secretariat under the Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants recently invited applications for 120 posts — 72 officer level and 48 computer operators — for a three-month contract. This call generated more than 2,000 applications from unemployed youth.

“It was really surprising to see the number of applications for these posts with such a brief tenure. It paints a really gloomy picture of the employment scenario in the country,” said Sanadan Prasad Kurmi, a member at the Secretariat, which is tasked with procuring human resources to conduct a survey of Maoist combatants in the cantonments.

Neither are the posts Kathmandu-based nor are there any attractive perks and the salaries will equal just that of a third class gazetted officer. The number of applications simply shows rampant unemployment, Kurmi added.

Bimal Shrestha, who submitted his application for the post of computer operator said there was no other option but to keep on applying because job-seekers far exceeded opportunities. “I have applied to gain experience, to pave the way for other job opportunities, albeit for a short stint,” said Shrestha.

Ramesh Pathak, an applicant from Dhading, said he had failed to find a job for years. “Neither can I can afford a job abroad, nor do I know influential persons who can help, so there’s nothing else to do but try my luck,” he said.

The responsibility of the new recruits will be to survey, profile and categorise 19,000 plus combatants living in seven main cantonments and 21 satellite camps across the country, to know whether they want to be integrated into security force or prefer rehabilitation in society through a state-offered financial package.

Published on: 26 June 2011 | The Himalayan Times