The EPS section of the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) said the number of applications could cross 55,000 this year showing the lack of job opportunities in the country.

However, a one-fifth of the successful candidates will get the job opportunity in Korea-one of the highest pay offering countries for unskilled migrant workers. Pay ranges above Rs 100,000 per month. Officials said most of the applications were fresh university graduates and job holders. “Many university graduates and job holders have applied for the language test. There is equally encouraging participation of female applicants,” said Dilli Ram Bastola, director at the EPS-Korea section. An estimated 10 percent women applicants.

The Korean government has not set any educational criteria for the job as the quota is for the unskilled labourers. The applicant should be below 39 to be eligible for the language test.

According to the EPS section, 4,301 applications were collected from Acme Engineering College centre, 3,310 from Chaysal centre and 3,646 from Laboratory Secondary School centre in Kathmandu. Similarly, 113 applications were from Dadeldhura, 3,712 from Pokhara and 2,608 from Butwal. The applicants are charged $24 for each application form.

With a relatively higher number of applicants, the competition is likely to be tougher this year, human resources experts say. While the number of aspirants is increasing every year, the job quota has remained unchanged.

The Korean government has not unveiled country-wise quota for 2015. But Nepali officials are hopeful that around 9,000 people passing the language test will be enlisted in the roster-an online platform for employer to recruit workers. The South Korean Human Resources Department had allocated 5,700 jobs to Nepali workers for 2014 under the EPS system and 5,234 in 2013. Some 47,000 people have appeared in the language test last year. Job-seekers lament factors such as job shortage in the country, free and fair recruitment process, cheap cost and good pay scale have forced more people to countries like South Korea.

Waiting in a line to submit his application in Sitapaila, Ranjan Pudasaini, a business graduate, explained why it was such a big draw. “The income is as attractive as in anywhere in western countries. Besides, you don’t need to knock on the door asking for favour from powerful people,” said Pudasaini.

Senior Economist Bishambar Pyakurel said that Nepal is likely to see outflow of even more young and educated people in the coming years as there has been no investment in productive sectors to create employment at home. He warned despite short-term benefits this tendency could have adverse effect in country’s economy in the long run. He said that the government should start creating more job opportunities to stem migration of young workforce. Under the government to government recruitment process, it costs around Rs 100,000 for a worker to go to South Korea.

Young Nepali youths started taking up Korea as migrant workers after Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean government on July 31, 2007. Around 22,000 Nepalis have since found gainful employment there.

Submissions

CENTER         APPLICANTS  

Sitapaila          4,301

Pokhara           3,712

Kritipur             3,646

Chaysal           3,310

Dharan             3,079

Butwal              2,608

Dadeldhura        113