EPS Nepal, under the Department of Foreign Employment, has issued a notice urging the concerned employees to return home and prepare for the next job cycle. EPS employees who return after the expiry of their job permits can apply as ‘committed workers’ — experienced workers recruitment process — the office said in the notice. 

 

South Korea — the dream job destination for Nepalis — introduced the process last year in Nepal as the destination increased the job tenure from three years to four years and 10 months. 

 

According to EPS Nepal, job permits of 128 Nepalis expired in April and it will increase in the coming months. 

 

About 3,992 EPS employees — 3,829 males and 163 females — will have to return to the country in the next eight months. Workers who return on time will get the opportunity to rejoin jobs in the destination, it said.

 

EPS Nepal started the computer-based Korean language test last month to start the recruitment process of committed workers. 

 

About 99 Nepalis reached South Korea under the process between July and December 2012. Similarly, 17 Nepalis have joined South Korean jobs under the process till date in 2013. 

 

South Korea is a lucrative destination for Nepalis where an EPS employee can earn around $1,000 (Rs 87,000) a month. It is popular among the youth because of its low mediation cost due to the government-to-government hiring process. The cost to get a job is around $970 (Rs 85,000) excluding preparations for the Korean language test, transportation from the job aspirant’s hometown to Kathmandu to give the language test, and for boarding. 

 

About 18,000 Nepalis are believed to be working in South Korea and 16,000 are EPS employees. 

 

Nearly, 700 Nepalis are believed to be staying illegally in the destination but it is the lowest figure from among the 15 EPS approved countries from Asia.