Kathmandu, January 30:

The government has invited applications from manpower agencies in order to select them as agents for sending Nepali trainee workers to Japan.

However, intellectuals are concerned that the Japan job aspirants might end up paying more than required if manpower agencies are given the task. “The government itself should send trainee workers to Japan and save them from getting cheated,” said an economist on condition of anonymity. He added that the governmment’s decision would create controversy

similar to the one for South Korean jobs before the Nepal and South Korean governments sealed a deal on sending Nepali migrant workers to South Korea. At present, Korean job-seekers have to spend around Rs 70,000 each. Earlier, they had to pay a hefty sum of Rs 5 to 6 lakh.

“The government has given February 4 as the deadline for application,” said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, director general of the Department of Foreign Employment (DoEF). He added that it has already started the long-stalled process of sending Nepali trainee workers to Japan.

“After February 4, the department wil start the process of selecting agencies,” he said.

The government has set some criteria, such as the agency should have the largest network nationwide and also own its office building for getting selected as the agent. Meanwhile, those who won’t be selected can work as sub-agents.

Japan is being viewed as a new lucrative destination for Nepali migrant workers after the government stopped issuing work permits for Malaysia — the second most-favoured destination of Nepali job-aspirants — following the Malaysian government’s move not to take in foreign workers due to the global financial crisis.

In 2003, on December 3 the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (JITCO) signed a preliminary agreement for sending Nepali migrant workers to Japan after the government gave FNCCI the responsibility of sending Nepali workers to Japan. Still, even after almost five years not a single Nepali trainee worker has been sent to Japan that has started taking foreign workers in agriculture, construction, food processing, fishery, electronics and garments sectors from 14 countries.

Sapkota also said that his department would now onwards hold press meets on a fortnightly basis to disseminate information on the procedings of the department. “From Sunday, no brokers will be allowed to enter the department,” he said while promising that the department

would serve service-seekers on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We have also started collecting data about those returning,” he said adding that the department is also eyeing alternative destinations like Oman and Libya. As matters stand, it is the government’s compulsion to find new destinations as it has not been able to generate jobs here at home.

Till recently, 656 Nepalis left for various destinations daily in search of greener pastures. At a conservative estimate, 1.24 million Nepalis are working abroad. The country also reaped benefits of remittance sent home.