Much-awaited UBT Building comes into operation

By Laxman Kafle,Lalitpur, Mar. 3: A Ubiquitous-Based Test (UBT) Building for conducting Korean Language Test (EPS-TOPIK), constructed at Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, has come into operation officially. The modern facility has been built with joint investment of Nepal and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The Government of Nepal has managed land and investment for the construction of the building while the Korean government has supported in interior management with modern technology.

Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Eak Narayan Aryal and visiting Vice President of Human Resource Development Service of the RoK Kim Sung-Jae jointly inaugurated the UBT Building amidst a special programme organised here on Thursday.

The building, a variation of electronic assessment using smart devices for EPS-TOPIK exams, was constructed as per the labour agreement signed between the two countries in 2007 to recruit Nepali migrant workers under the Employment Permission System (EPS).

The first EPS test was conducted in Nepal in 2008 after the inking of a deal between the two governments on July 23, 2007. Nepal’s participation in the EPS has been mutually rewarding to both countries.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Secretary Aryal expressed his hope that the recruiting process of Nepali workers willing to work in Korea under EPS would be more transparent, credible and professional with the operation of well-equipped UBT Building.

“Nepali youths are contributing to the economic development of the country by sending their earnings back home and providing services to Korea. The Government of Nepal hopes that the Korean government will increase labour quota for Nepal in the coming days,” he said.

As Nepal is willing to send skilled youths abroad, especially Korea, the government is planning to establish vocational training centres in all seven provinces as the one in Butwal.

“We would like to request the Korean government to support Nepal in this endeavour as well,” he said. 

Saying that there is a need for amending the labour agreement signed between two countries, he said that the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security was ready to discuss the matter.

On the occasion, HRD Service Korea’s Vice President Kim said that Nepal is the major and first choice of the RoK and Korean employers among countries for recruiting foreign workers through EPS.

“Nepal is the first among the 16 countries to have the UBT Building to hire workers transparently using smart devices,” said Kim.

He hoped that the new facility would be an important milestone to hire skilled workers in a credible manner in the days ahead. “With the operation of the UBT Building, the aspiration of many Nepali youths to work in Korea will come true,” he added.

The Korean government plans to recruit around 120,000 foreign workers in 2023. 

With the operation of the UBT facility, the exam techniques will be more advanced than earlier paper-based test (PBT) and computer-based test (CBT).

As many as 200 candidates can sit for examination in one shift and around 800 candidates can do it in a day.

Around 80,000 Nepalis have so far gone to the RoK through EPS. Currently, above 37,000 Nepalis are working in different parts of South Korea.

In 2022, a total of 14,495 Nepali workers went to Korea through EPS which is the highest number among the countries from where Korea recruits foreign workers.  

This has become possible with the continuous effort of the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and EPS, Nepal Office, said Kim.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal Park Chong-suk also expressed his happiness over the much-awaited inauguration of the UBT Building in Nepal.

The COVID-19 pandemic had affected the pace of the building construction and also hindered the recruitment process. 

The Korean envoy informed that the process of recruiting workers had resumed with the receding of the pandemic.

The UBT Building is a symbol of commitment made by the two friendly countries in the labour agreement. This will also help strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.On the occasion, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security felicitated Kim Un Duck, Representative of EPS Centre in Nepal, recognising his significant contribution in recruiting workers through EPS even in the challenging period of COVID-19 pandemic.