The Employment Permit System (EPS) under the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) issued 537 labour contracts on Wednesday to migrant Nepali workers heading to South Korea.

The EPS Korea Section oversees recruitment procedures for Nepalis seeking jobs in South Korea.

The number of labour contracts has crossed 1,600 since this year’s screening of the Nepali workers, who have passed the Test of Proficiency in Korean Language (TOPIK), began in January.

EPS Korea Section Officer Shobhakar Bhandari said, “Migrant worker contracts have been signed almost every day in varying numbers since the beginning of the year. This trend will continue.”

The labour contract includes nature of work, working hours, job duration, payment, and other job details. 

The Government of South Korea had fixed a ceiling of eligible Nepali candidates at 10,200 for the year 2018. As data reveals, 12,108 candidates passed the mandatory TOPIK test and surpassed the quota.

Among the successful candidates, 7,578 passed the test in agriculture and 4,530 passed in manufacturing sector.

After passing the test, 11,876 Nepalis had applied online for South Korean jobs for the year, according to the roster prepared by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea. 

According to Bhandari from the total number of applicants, 7,474 applications have been approved.

The number of Nepali securing jobs in South Korea this year is likely to go up compared to the previous years.

“Although the final right to hire candidates remains with the employers in South Korea, as per our estimate, the number of Nepalis clinching jobs there this year will be higher as they have allotted higher ceiling for Nepalis,” said Bhandari.

Last year, 7,800 Nepalis got employment in South Korea whereas in 2016 the number was 8,079. According to Bhandari, at least 8,000 Nepalis are likely to land in the job market in South Korea in 2018.

Out of those selected this year, five have already reached South Korea. The EPS section official hopes that within three months, all 1,600 migrant workers will

reach South Korea and start working.

“Their departure depends on the demand for workers in South Korea. If employers there need workers urgently, then they will begin procedures soon. If they don’t require workers immediately, they will go ahead with the procedures later. However, by the time another lot of work contracts are issued, all of them will have reached South Korea,” said Bhandari.

Job applicants, having received work contracts, will have to sign the contract at the EPS office. This office will later inform the employer about the signing of the agreement. After signing the contract, the worker will furnish medical and police reports and also take part in a six-day mandatory training before departing for South Korea.

Hailed as one of the best destinations among job-seekers, Nepalis on foreign employment will get better facilities and perks. South Korea has so far received 50,424 Nepali migrant workers.