KATHMANDU, July 26: Results of the seventh edition of the Test in Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) language under the Employment Permit System (EPS) have been announced.
Of the total 57,159 applicants who appeared in the exam, 3,517 have passed the test as per the results published by the Korean Human Resource Department.
Out of the successful examinees, 1,377 have passed the test for manufacturing sector while 2,140 passed for agricultural sector. Among those who passed the exam, a total of 334 are women candidates.
A total of 60,626 aspirant migrant workers had submitted application forms this year. Out of them, 57,120 had appeared for the test.
Candidates who passed the exam should initiate the process of medical examination, according to Dilli Ram Bastola, director at the EPS Korea Section under the Department of Foreign Employment.
The government has also introduced a system under which candidates can appear for the examinations to test their skills. It is optional whether to appear in the skill test or not. But the chances of getting jobs are high for those who appear in the skill test than those who don't, according to the EPS Korea Section.
The candidates need to complete medical examination, skill test and the process of registering the application forms before Dashain, according to Bastola. “The government will start sending the successful candidates to South Korea from January 2017.”
Since last year, the government has also made it compulsory for the aspiring workers to examine Tuberculosis before leaving for South Korea for more than 90 days.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment will soon take a decision regarding hospitals eligible for medical examinations of the candidates who have passed the exam, he said.
South Korea has become a lucrative destination for Nepali migrant workers since Nepal entered the Employment Permit System (EPS). In July, 2007, Nepal and South Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding under the EPS that paved the way for Nepali workers to go to South Korea for work. Since then, around 40,000 workers have left for South Korea under the EPS, according to the EPS Center.
SLC results within 10 days
Re-entry on the rise
Re-entry of Nepali workers who previously worked in Korea under the Employment Permit System is also on the rise.
The first group of workers to go to Korea under the Employment Permit System started returning back home since 2013. Returnees who wish to work there again should appear for the Special EPS-TOPIK exam featuring the new computer-based test (CBT), according to Bastola.
Around 2,000 returnees have re-entered Korea after giving the special EPS test, Bastola said, adding that Korea is taking both fresh and returnee workers.
