KATHMANDU: Good news for South Korea-bound Nepali migrant workers, South Korea has introduced a new law that extends foreign workers’ contracts up to five years. The current Employment Permit System (EPS) allows only a maximum three-year contract. “Foreign nationals will be able to work for up to five straight years without having to make the obligatory one-month sojourn outside South Korea to extend their job contracts,” the Tuesday edition of Korea Times reported, quoting a Ministry of Labour (MoL) source. According to the revised Foreign Workers Employment Law (FWEL), foreign employees will be able to extend their contracts for another two years from July 28 this year. Currently, they have to leave the country for one month before renewal. “We revised the law based on the demand of foreign workers and companies,” Kim Yeon-shik, a MoL officer said. South Korea is also going to change the EPS hiring system to get more eligible persons. Under the current system, employers have to pick workers from those passing a Korean language test without screening their individual details. But, a new list will show each jobseeker’s qualifications and career record. Moreover, South Korean employers will also be able to recruit directly via interviews overseas. “Under the law, employers will be able to secure manpower from overseas and workers can easily adjust to Korean society,” the official said. The new FWEL has given more rights to foreign workers to prevent workplace exploitation. “We will specify the conditions that allow workers to transfer to other companies,” Kim said. Workers can apply for transfers when wages are delayed and if their employer violates the Korean Labour Law (KLL). In April, 377,032 foreigners were working under EPS. Around 2,500 Nepalis are working in South Korea through EPS 2008 quota.