Nepal starts getting demands from Japan

KATHMANDU: Nepal has started getting workers’ demand from Japan under Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (JITCO) that is offering industrial training and internship for Nepali workers in 64 occupations and 120 courses through bilateral agreement of last October.

“Three Nepali outsourcing agencies have got demands for 40 industrial trainees from Japanese companies so far,” said Kashiram Marasini, director at the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). “Only Siddhartha Gautam Overseas Pvt Ltd has got approval for five trainees,” he said adding that remaining demands are under scrutiny of the department.

As per JITCO process, the department needs to verify the demand from Tokyo-based Nepali diplomatic mission whether the demands are genuine or not.

Rainbow Overseas Pvt Ltd and Around the World Services have got demands for 20 and 15 interns respectively. “After verification from Nepali embassy in Tokyo we will issue letter of prior approval,” he added. The selection pro-cess is rigorous and lengthy. Industrial trainees (ITs) should have to go through interview before appearing in the language test that takes almost three months.

Ministry of Labour and Transport Management

has approved 219-hour course for JITCO aspirants including 180-hour language training. They also need to take orientation on Japanese cultural, health and safety and rights of overseas workers.

Moreover, JITCO aspirants along with sending companies should have to produce guarantee of their return after one-year training and two-year internship. “They must give the assurance of trainees’ return,” he said adding that the outsourcing agencies too will have responsibility of calling them back.

JITCO trainees can earn monthly allowance of Rs 50,000 while interns will earn more than Rs 1,00,000 a month. It is five-and ten-fold the income in other popular destinations.