Kathmandu, May 23:

The second stage for employment in South Korea came to an end as aspirant job seekers

under the employment permit system (EPS) have completed their medical test.

As per the EPS rules, candidates who have passed the EPS-Korean Language Test need to take the medical test before they go to Korea.

Preliminary results have shown that majority of the candidates have met the criteria set by the Korean government to be employed by Korean companies, said Keshar Bahadur Baniya, director general at the department of labour and employment promotion. However, the department is yet to get the final results of the medical test, he said.

The medical tests were carried out in —TU-Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital, Patan Hospital and Central Laboratory-Teku. The medical test is the second step after KLT for getting jobs in Korea under EPS. Of the total 31,511 examinees, 6,768 applicants had passed the language exam. Successful applicants were then required to undergo a stringent medical test. After the medical check-up and investigation on criminal records as well as other details, like age and academic qualification, a roster of the selected applicants will be created and circulated among Korean employers, informed Baniya. The employers can select workers from the roster list and then contact HRD-Korea for the final process of recruitment.

According to Baniya, the selection and recruitment of workers under EPS is entirely a government-to-government business, so there is no scope of any bungling. Even the medical check-up is done thoroughly. “If a job seeker fails the medical check-up in South Korea, he/she will be sent back to Nepal. However, the medical testing institutions here in Nepal would have to bear the cost of travelling to Korea,” informed Baniya.

The government has already said the total cost for the entire process to get a job in South Korea would not exceed $970. Those selected for the jobs are likely to be paid not less than $900 as monthly salary, excluding lodging, food and medical expenses.