Nepali Workers Protest in South Korea EPS Program, Citing Looming Roster Expiry

Kathmandu. Workers who have passed the Employment Permit System (EPS) exam and are waiting to go to South Korea, an attractive destination for Nepali laborers, have been protesting for some time.

Those who passed the Korean language test and are listed on the roster but whose validity is set to expire by the end of 2026 are demanding the right to go to Korea within the deadline, staging demonstrations and sit-ins.

They have been protesting in front of the EPS Korea Branch office in Gwarko, Lalitpur, and the HRD Korea CBT and UBT offices in Bhaisepati.

Previously, in February 2080 BS, two people died during a protest regarding the inability to participate in the language exam. Sujan Raut and Birendra Shahi died during a clash with the police at that time. Protesters had set fire to the vehicle of the then Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala.

Nepali workers who pass the language exam are eligible for employment in South Korea in the agriculture, construction, and shipbuilding sectors.

Those who have returned after working in Korea can also go again by taking another exam. This system is called CBT. Recently, those waiting to go to Korea and whose roster period has expired have been protesting.

There are 8,902 individuals who have passed the language exam and are listed on the roster currently protesting. Among them, 4,500 are in the agriculture sector, 1,500 are eligible for CBT, and the rest are in shipbuilding. If they cannot go to Korea by December 2026, they will lose the opportunity.

The protesting group is pressuring authorities to send them to Korea, even if it means extending the roster validity by two years. Tikaram Dhakal, Director of the EPS Korea Branch, stated that efforts are being made to address the demands of the protesters.

He said, 'The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has corresponded with the South Korean government for diplomatic initiatives, and the agenda for discussion has been set.'

Director Dhakal further mentioned that a high-level team is scheduled to visit Korea soon to resolve the long-term issues once the Korean side extends an invitation.

Risk of Losing Employment in Korea

Workers who passed the language test have started protesting in Maitidevi, in addition to Bhaisepati and Gwarko in Lalitpur.

Security officials say that after the protest in February 2080 BS, which resulted in two deaths, the employees deployed by Korea to operate EPS felt 'threatened.'

Following continuous protests, the Korean side has verbally warned that the employment agreement between the two countries 'could be canceled.' A high-ranking official from the Ministry of Labor stated, 'They have verbally informed us that the agreement might be breached, but this has not come in writing.'

Currently, Korea takes in 1,200 workers annually. Director Dhakal stated that Korea informed them that they cannot change the rule only for Nepal to extend the roster period, as the same system is applied to all 17 countries sending workers to Korea.

He said, 'HRD Korea has informed us that they cannot change the sector either.'

Korea has stated that people should not doubt the EPS system as it is an automated online system. SSP Hobindra Bogati of Lalitpur urged the applicants not to protest, mentioning that the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security is trying to resolve the issue. He added, 'There is a possibility of unruly behavior in the name of protest; such activities will be dealt with according to the law.'

The workers who passed the language test are demanding that their files be sent to companies. However, Director Dhakal stated that no individual, employee, or body can send files as per their wishes.

He said, 'The file moves through an automated system; this problem arose because employers did not select them. The issue is due to the employer's selection.'

On January 31st (Magh 18), the Ministry of Labor issued a statement pointing out that the protests could negatively affect relations with Korea.

The Ministry stated, 'We request that activities such as creating pressure not be carried out as it could negatively affect the employment of Nepali workers in the future.'

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