Kathmandu, September 7

Migration of youth for overseas jobs has been subsequently bringing entrepreneurship skill, capital and technical know-how into the country. This is what a study report on the status of migrant workers returning from South Korea has revealed, as 80 per cent of returnee migrants from South Korea have embraced entrepreneurship.

The study report titled ‘Situation Report of South Korea Returnee Workers from Foreign Employment in South Korea’ has revealed that majority of the returnees after being employed in South Korea are either self-employed or involved in income generating activities, while 20 per cent are unemployed.

The report was prepared by Ankur Nepal — a non-governmental organisation — for Foreign Employment Promotion Board following data collection of a total of 951 South Korea returnees who are largely based in 15 districts. The highest number of returnees are in Rupandehi (150), followed by Myagdi (79) and Sunsari (65).

As per the report, 95.68 per cent of returnees had worked in manufacturing sector, 3.47 per cent in agriculture sector and 0.85 per cent in ‘other’ sectors in South Korea. Most of them are now involved in similar sector in which they had gained experience in Korea.

Following their return, the report shows, 63.15 per cent are now engaged in industrial enterprise while 5.26 per cent are in agricultural or farming sector. Similarly, the report shows that 5.78 per cent are doing social sector jobs and 2.1 per cent are in the tourism sector.

However, these returnees account for a nominal part of total workers who migrated to South Korea under Employment Permit System (EPS), which was introduced in 2008. A total of 28,453 Nepali workers have gone to South Korea under the EPS until 2014.