60,678 applications received against last year's 51,499 Korea to take in only 3,100 fresh Nepalis this year

KATHMANDU, May 2: The number of applicants aspiring for employment in South Korea has increased by almost 10,000 this year. Under the 7th Employment Permit System (EPS), 60,678 aspirant migrant workers have submitted application forms against 51,499 applications received under the 6th Employment Permit System (EPS).
A total of 31,488 youths have submitted forms from various five application centers in Kathmandu while 29,190 applications were received at five other centers outside the Valley -- from Butwal, Pokhara, Dharan, Janakpur and Dadeldhura this year.

The EPS center has informed that the Korean government plans to take only 3,100 candidates from among the applicants this year. Director at the EPS Section Dilli Ram Bastola however informed that the quota for Korean jobs hasn't gone down as rumured.

"The Korean government plans to take only 3,100 fresh candidates --1000 for manufacturing and 2,100 for agricultural sectors -- from this year's exam but this doesn't mean the quota for Nepal has been reduced," said Bastola, adding, "The Korean government might give priority to the returnee migrants again."

Nepal has already received a quota for 3000 jobs while it will receive additional quota for 2,000 jobs within a month or two, according to the EPS.
The Korean government has sought 7,100 workers for agricultural and manufacturing sectors for 2016. Out of the total applicants last year, only around 8,000 had cleared the TOPIK. The candidates who pass the TOPIK will be registered in the roster of workers for South Korea and they will be sent to the country according to the employer's demand.

South Korea is considered to be one of the 'lucrative' destination countries for foreign employment for Nepali workers where a Nepali worker is paid at least US$ 1,000 per month. More than 36,000 Nepalis are working in Korea under the EPS and 6,000 Nepali have already returned home after completing their five-year employment contracts, according to the EPS section Nepal.