Nepali jobseekers aspiring to go to South Korea under the Employment Permit System are in for a tough competition this year.

More than 41,000 people have applied for Korean Language Test—a prerequisite for employment in South Korea—till the second day of submission on Thursday. Concerned officials have said that the number could double by Saturday, the final date for the submission of the examination form. This year’s language test under the Employment Permit System (EPS) will be held on June 18 and 19.

A total of 19,455 applicants submitted their forms until Thursday evening, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said, while 21,632 applicants had submitted forms a day earlier. It is mandatory for the jobseekers to pass the language test to be enlisted in the job roster of the Korean government. It, however, does not guarantee the job as the selection right is reserved for the employers.

“We are expecting significant rise in the number of applications this year with many people who couldn’t make it to the job roster last year taking the test this year,” said Ramchandra Giri, an official at the HRD Korean EPS Center in Kathmandu. A total of 8,490 individuals were selected among around 51,000 who applied for the language proficiency test in 2015.

The attraction toward jobs in South Korea is gaining in popularity, especially among umemployed youths, due to attractive pay package and low hiring cost. “I tried for jobs here but nobody hired me. That’s why I started learning Korean language. I am hopeful I will make the cut this time around,” said Krishna Thapa, 32, of Kavre, who applied for the job from Maharajgunj center on Thursday.  “I found that a lot of jobholders with good degree are applying this year. It sure is not going to be easy,” said Thapa, who holds a bachelor’s degree.

Despite rising attraction for the job, the South Korean government is making significant job cuts for foreign workers. The South Korean Human Resource Department has allocated 3,100 job quotas for Nepali workers for 2017, around 65 percent less than a year earlier. South Korea hires workers from 15 countries under its Employment Permit System.

All applicants are required to pay $24 (around Rs 2,400) with their applications. The applicants also should not have criminal record or have stayed illegally in South Korea. Those under 18 years and older than 39 years are ineligible to sit for the test.

The government has set up 10 form collection centres in Kathmandu, Butwal, Pokhara, Dharan, Janakpur and Dadeldhura.

n A candidate fills out an application form for Korean Language Test, a prerequisite for employment in South Korea under EPS, at Vedh Vidhyashram in Bankali, Kathmandu, on Thursday.  More than 41,000 people have registered themselves for the test until Thursday evening. Saturday is the last day for submission of application forms. POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL