Reiterating that a successful language test does not guarantee employment in South Korea, the Korean Employment Permit System ( EPS) in Nepal has urged the prospective candidates not to give up the jobs in their hands until they receive placement confirmations from Korean employers.

This official statement from the EPS Nepal comes at a time when hundreds of people have been protesting outside the EPS office against the move to conduct a new language test before their selection is guaranteed. According to the EPS Centre, around 5,500 candidates are still on the job seekers’ roster, an online platform through which Korean employers select Nepali workers.

The EPS in Nepal is scheduled to hold a new Korean Language Test on October 6 and 7. The office has decided to open application forms for four days from August 21. Application forms can be filled in at Sano Gaucharan, Siddhartha Banasthali Institute, Laboratory Secondary School, Dharan-8 and Nepal Police Training Centre in Butwal.

Lee Dong Sirk, human resource director at the EPS Centre in Nepal, said two separate tests will be held for the manufacturing and agriculture and livestock sectors. He said the candidates can choose one of the sectors based on their interests. The EPS Centre has already decided to change the exam format. Officials said questions will be much tougher this time.

The test is expected to select around 8,200 fresh candidates from an initial estimate of 70,000 candidates, said Lee. “This does not mean all the workers will go to Korea. They will be enlisted on the roster from where the employers will select them on the basis of their preferences.”

According to Lee, a total of 3,794 individuals, out of this year’s ceiling of 5,900, have been selected so far to enter Korea for jobs. Around 5,900 went to Korea through the EPS system last year. According to the EPS Centre, those currently on the roster will be replaced by fresh candidates after the new language test is held. It said that those on the waiting list can again attend the language test. 

Under the EPS system, South Korea has been recruiting workers from 15 countries, including Nepal, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China. 

Lee urged the agitators to take the skill test if they were to increase their chances of selection. Around 30 per cent of the workers who fare well in the exam can attend the language test, he said.  

Korea is considered an affordable and lucrative destination for Nepali migrant workers, where one can earn around $1,000 monthly. 

Published on: 9 August 2013 | The Kathmandu Post