Japan sends proposal to hire Nepali workers
CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL
The Japanese government, which had recently announced to import labour force for its internal market, has sent an official proposal to hire Nepali workers.
Labour Secretary Mahesh Prasad Dahal confirmed on Thursday that the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security had received the proposal that mentions Nepal on the list of countries from where Japan wants to hire workers.
“This is still just a proposal that they have shared with us. The government has started discussion on the document,” Dahal said.
A Japanese delegation is scheduled to arrive in Nepal on January 16 to discuss the details regarding labour hiring.
“We will discuss every aspect of sending Nepali workers to Japan with the Japanese delegation. The possible modality of labour migration whether it is government to government and other mechanisms will also be finalised,” Dahal said.
Over the first five years, Japan plans to hire around 345,000 foreign workers in 14 industrial sectors that include nursing care, janitorial work, manufacturing, the hotel industry, agriculture and fishing, as well as food processing and food services.
The Japanese government has shown interest in hiring Nepali workers mainly in caregiving and hospitality sector, according to Dahal.
To be qualified for Japanese labour market, the potential candidates must pass the skill test and meet the language requirements.
Meanwhile, the ministry has started formulating a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which it wishes to sign with the Japanese officials before both sides reach any conclusion.
“Both sides will look into respective documents which could later be revised or retained based on mutual understanding,” said Dahal.
Concerning the language institutes and employment consultancy agencies advertising for jobs in Japan, Dahal said they were lying to the public.
“We are at the very early stage of discussing the prospect of Japanese market for our workers. Nothing has been formally finalised yet. If any agency is claiming to send people to Japan for employment, it will be deemed as an act of fraud and a punishable offence,” he added.
Besides Nepal, Japan has also invited workers from China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Published on: 4 January 2019 | The Kathmandu Post
GET IN TOUCH