South Korea will allow family members of Nepali workers in South Korea to pay a visit and meet the worker at least once during their employment tenure.

The South Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Young-sik said migrant Nepali workers would soon be able to meet with their family members as soon as South Korean government makes all official arrangements for this purpose.

During the meeting with the Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista, Ambassador Youngsik said some families have already visited South Korea and returned to Nepal after meeting their family member working there.

Ministry spokesperson Prakash Dahal said, Minister Bista had requested Ambassador Young-sik during their previous meeting to facilitate family member visit at least once during the migrant worker’s contract period so that Nepali workers wouldn’t feel stressed during their four year and 10 months long stay.

Minister Bista said family visits would give workers a psychological relief from anxiety, loneliness and dispel thoughts of committing suicide. Over the years, the suicide rate of Nepali workers has been high in South Korea. The opportunity to meet with their family members is likely to bring such deaths down. The South Korean government is likely to make an official announcement soon. 

The Labour Minister requested the ambassador to increase the jobs quota for Nepali workers in South Korea, a country known for offering better facilities and remuneration among other foreign job destinations. The Minister urged South Korean representative to hire Nepali workers in service sector.

According to Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), 54,363 Nepali workers have reached South Korea on foreign employment.

The South Korean government has fixed the maximum ceiling of 7,100 Nepali workers who pass the qualifying test and enter its job market in 2019 as potential candidates.

Praising the performances and conduct of Nepali workers in South Korea, Ambassador Young-sik said he would do his best to increase the quota for Nepali workers and their placement in service sector.