Thousands of Nepali job aspirants seeking employment opportunities in South Korea today thronged various outlets in and outside Kathmandu Valley to register their names for the Korean language proficiency test scheduled to be held in the first week of October.

Around 18,000 Nepalis appeared at outlets in Butwal, Dharan and Banasthali, Sano Gaucharan and Kirtipur in Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday — the first day of filing applications — to enroll their names for the fourth Test of Proficiency in Korean which will be held on October 6-7.

Around 3,844 people registered their names in Butwal, while 2,473 filed applications in Dharan, spokesperson at the ministry of labour and employment Buddhi Bahadur Khadka said. In addition, 4,463 people appeared at a centre in Banasthali, 2,819 in Sano Gaucharan and 4,100 in Kirtipur, Khadka said.

“Considering the turnout today, we hope to draw a similar size of the crowd at various centres tomorrow,” he added. These centres will remain open till Saturday.

To be eligible to sit for the test, a person must be a Nepali citizen of at least 18 years of age but not over 39. This means everyone born between October 7, 1973, and October 5, 1995, is qualified to register their names upon paying a fee of US$24. Also, the candidate should not have a criminal record. Those deported from Korea for overstaying in the country or those restricted from travelling abroad also cannot sit for tests.

“Almost all the applicants who register their names till Saturday will be allowed to sit in the Korean language proficiency test,” Khadka said. The details of the test and test centre will be published on September 25 in national dailies and Employment Permit System’s portal www.epsnepal.gov.np.

Of those who appear in the language test, 30 per cent of the highest scorers will then undergo a skills test.

Those who excel in the skills test will be recommended for jobs in South Korea. South Korea is accepting 8,200 Nepali workers this time of which 4,600 will be employed in the manufacturing sector, while 3,600 will be absorbed by the agriculture sector.

Many Nepalis are interested in working in South Korea as it is one of the highest paying labour destinations, with a monthly salary of around $970. Around 20,000 Nepalis are currently working in the country. About 57,000 Nepalis had applied for the Korean language proficiency test in 2011.

Published on: 22 August 2013 | The Himalayan Times