KATHMANDU:The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM) and the Human Resource Department (HRD) of South Korea are preparing to extend the Employment Permit System (EPS) contract for another three months. Earlier on July 22, both parties had decided to extend by three months the two-year contract ending on October 22.

The political situation of South Korea compelled us to take this action again, said MoLTM secretary Babu Ram Acharya. Although MoLTM has submitted a new draft for contract it will not be possible to make a new contract due to the recent cabinet reshuffle. “We want the new contract soon,” he said adding Nepal has asked South Korea to increase the EPS quota for 2010.

South Korea is a lucrative destination for Nepali blue-collar jobseekers where they earn five times more than in other destinations like Gulf countries and Malaysia. The monthly salary of EPS workers is $970 to $1,000, based on their work. Nepalis working in South Korea are sending Rs two billion remittance every year.

Around 3,100 Nepalis are working in South Korea under the EPS system. Hiring Nepalis under EPS has increased since September when the destination country gradually started coming out of the global financial crisis. Seoul hired 201 Nepali in September and 306 more this October. Around 6,500 Nepalis work in South Korea.

Labour fairs in Saudi Arabia

KATHMANDU: Foreign Employment Promotion Board (FEPB) will organize labour fairs in two cities — Riyadh and Dammam — of Saudi Arabia in November.

FEPB is organizing two one-day fairs in Riyadh and Dammam, said undersecretary Mukunda Adhikari. The labour fairs will be held in November 12 in Riyadh and November 19 in Dammam.

Outsourcing agencies from Saudi Arabia and Nepal, Saudi Arabian

employers, concerned agencies of both countries’ governments and labour-related organizations are taking part in the fair. — HNS