EPS-Korean Language Test to be Conducted in CBT Model:
South Korea, an attractive employment destination, had been taking Nepali workers through the Employment Permit System (EPS). The youths who are preparing for the exam are frustrated as they have not decided when to take the exam.
Korea has been providing employment opportunities to Nepali youths who pass the language test every year. Korea has not yet decided when to take the language test. Similarly, the examination system has not been deciphered. Due to COVID-19, the language test could not be conducted in 2020 either.
Although the language test could not be conducted last year, the EPS Korea branch has stated that it has received verbal information to conduct the test this year (in 2021). Korea has not yet said when or how it will conduct the language test.
"We have received information that we are preparing to conduct the language test," said Indra Gautam, director of the branch. "It has not been decided to conduct the test at this time through written correspondence and discussion." The language test was also stopped in 2012. However, it is understood that Korea is preparing to conduct language tests in the first quarter of 2021.
Korea is preparing to take the Computer Based Test (CBT) test from now on. Earlier, the Paper-Based Test (PBT) was being conducted. He said that he has been informed to conduct CBT examination without PBT from now on. "It is not a formal decision to take CBT without PBT," said Director Gautam; "Even in the PBT exam, it is understood that the online exam has been prepared from the 'Tablet' rather than the desktop."
The Korean side is developing software for the CBT exam. Software testing is also underway. The construction work of the examination building has also reached the final stage. The Korean team is working to see the possibility of online exams.
The Korean side has made it clear that it will not take the PBT test from now on. "It does not mean that the exam will be held on this date, but now it will be done from the tab when the exam is held," he said.
South Korea has announced it will accept 52,000 migrant workers from 16 countries in 2021. Due to Corona, Korea is hiring 4,000 fewer foreign workers than last year. The EPS Korea branch has not been officially notified, despite reports that Korea has slightly reduced its quota for migrant workers compared to last year. Director Gautam informed that the quota of workers has not been distributed nationally yet.
After Corona, the youngsters on the roster have stopped going to Korea after passing the language test. "After Kovid-19, the process of sending Nepalese has been stopped," he said. He said that he is taking the initiative to send the youths on the roster to Korea after the airline has become regular.
Korea has written to Kovid asking him to send workers to the country as health care regulations have changed. "We have written to Corona insurance, aviation, quarantine, 48-hour corona test report and other conditions to be met," he said. "We have written to address all issues, but no clear information has come from Korea."
Nepal has also urged Korea to pave the way for employment for all the youths who have passed the language test. "All the young people who have passed should go to Korea," said Director Gautam. It is also said that Nepal will make a formal request to address the issue during the renewal of the labor agreement with Korea.
Since 2008, a total of 66,872 young people, including 62,852 men and 4,020 women, have passed the language test and gone to Korea. Amid the Corona epidemic, 1,027 people arrived in Korea in 2020. After passing the language test, the youngsters on the roster were on their way to Nepal.
There are still 12,000 young people on the roster waiting to go to Korea after passing the language test. About 6,000 of them have been selected. The roster period is two years. If Korean employers do not choose within two years, they will not be able to go to Korea. Korea has been bringing workers from Nepal into the agricultural and industrial sectors.
An average of 8,000 Nepali youths goes to Korea from Nepal annually. In 2019, 7,136 Nepalese went to Korea for employment. Currently, there are about 31,000 Nepalese workings in Korea.
