The number of Nepalis leaving for South Korea for jobs under the Employment Permit System (EPS) rose significantly in the last fiscal year, mainly due to increased demand for Nepali workers in Korea.

A total of 5,358 individuals left for Korea in 2011-12—up 44.69 percent compared to previous year’s figure. In 2010-11, the country had hired 3,703 Nepali workers, according to the Department of Foreign Employment.

Last year, the Korean government increased job quota for Nepali workers from 7,100 to over 15,000, considering better work performance of Nepalis already working there. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has said around 9,000 individuals passing the Korean Language Test are also preparing to leave for Korea.

With the government recently renewing the EPS agreement with Korea, Nepali workers will be able to go Korea for jobs for another two years.

The ministry received the EPS agreement renewal papers undersigned by the Korean Employment and Labour Minister on June 29 through the Diplomatic Pouch, according to the ministry’s spokesperson Buddhi Bahadur Khadka. On the behalf of the Nepal government, Minister for Labour and Employment Kumar Belbase signed the agreement.

As of last fiscal year, a total of 14,280 Nepali youths have left for South Korea for employment under EPS.

Published on: 21 July 2012 | The Kathmandu Post