KATHMANDU, Dec 21: While many young people seeking foreign employment often fall victim to scams, a government agency is effectively managing the process with transparency. The Employment Permit System (EPS), implemented by the government 18 years ago, has proven to have a positive impact.

As all procedures are conducted transparently, employees transferred to this office think that they have not been sent to an office where they can make ‘extra’ income. The general public who get a chance to participate in this process express excitement. Fraudsters and brokers have no place in this system, given the substantial involvement of the Korean government throughout the entire process, which the Nepali authorities closely follow. Unlike other countries, it is not possible to secure employment in South Korea through EPS by paying a random amount.

Under the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), the Korean government is intricately involved in the entire process of young people departing for Korea through the EPS branch.

While youths spend significant amounts to work in Europe, Malaysia, and various Gulf countries, a mere Rs 150,000 is sufficient to secure employment in Korea. Those who seize the opportunity to work in Korea often earn more than their counterparts in Australia, America, and Europe. Consequently, the number of individuals choosing Korea for foreign employment has been on the rise.

Nepal, along with Korea, is one of the 16 countries that have implemented the EPS. Youths can easily go there by completing the process after Korean employers demand the foreign workers.

Guru Datta Subedi, the EPS branch director, recalls the time when many youths had to spend Rs 1.5 to 2 million before the introduction of the EPS system. He stated, "Rich people went to Korea by spending millions and they got richer. The poor remain poor," emphasizing that as the demand for Korea increased, the Nepal government made efforts to ensure a systematic and secure process.

On July 23, 2007, a government-to-government agreement was signed between Nepal and Korea, marking the beginning of travel to Korea through EPS. The EPS branch of Nepal has collaborated with HRD Korea EPS Center Nepal.

The EPS Korea branch's responsibilities include conducting examinations, processing employment applications and labor contracts, handling CCIV forms and flight management, as well as coordinating and facilitating programs. Online form submission is open from December 18 to December 22.

The EPS exam notice is published by the Korean government, and once received, the EPS branch of Nepal republishes it. Following the notice publication, the online application form submission period spans from two to six days. Subsequently, all application forms are recorded and sent to the Korean system by EPS. The EPS branch conducts biometric registration within a few days after receiving the exam schedule from the Korean government.

Subedi stated, "Biometric 'verification' takes place the day after biometric registration. The face of the youth who has entered the examination hall as per the admit card is 'face read.' Only then will the candidate be allowed to participate. After that, the results of the Korean language test will also be published by the Korean government.”

After passing the 'skill test' along with the language test, the process for the youth will move forward. Following that, they will be included in Korea's SPAS system after undergoing a medical examination and filling out an employment form. The centers in Korea send young people to employers who are on the roster when they need workers.

Korean companies issue labor contracts to those selected workers. Then comes the CCVI form from Korea. Nepali youth can go to Korea by filling out the form and applying for a visa. This way, there will be no fraud, temptation, interference, and unnecessary expenses for the youth going to Korea through EPS. “Initially, it will cost 2,800 US dollars to fill out the form and 63 US dollars for the medical. All in all, youth can go to Korea for less than Rs 150,000 with a ticket," said Director Subedi.

Young people returning to Nepal from Korea mention that they are earning between Rs 250,000 to Rs 600,000. The qualification for young people going to Korea should be 18 years old and not more than 39 years old.

Similarly, young people who want to go to Korea must not be involved in criminal activities, have not left South Korea in the past, have not been banned from traveling abroad from Nepal, and must meet the standards set by both countries.

Every worker has the right to fair labor practices, fair wages, benefits, and contribution-based social security. Similarly, according to the law, there is a right to open a trade union, participate in it, and conduct collective bargaining.

“Korea is very productive for young people. Millions of rupees are brought into the country by the youth's stay in Korea for a few years. It is not possible to have a family in Korea like Australia, America, and Europe. All the young people who went to Korea will return home with skills and capital. The youth who returned to Nepal have done some kind of venture," said Subedi.

According to the data of the EPS branch for foreign employment, from 2008 to Tuesday, 1,609 young people from Nepal have reached South Korea. After a few years of stay in Korea, the young people who came back home have participated in various activities such as animal husbandry, pig breeding, agricultural farms, fruit production, industry, and factories.

Foreign employment can be managed easily through EPS. However, since the same procedure cannot be applied to other countries, many youths have been cheated. Change is possible if the government wants it and the EPS experience shows.

 
• Employment_Permit_System
 
• Korea
 
• Nepal