Monday, March 25, 2019

Japan formally opens door for employment for Nepalis in 14 sectors

Nepal and Japan today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for sending 'specified skilled workers' (SSW) paving the way for Nepali workers to go to Japan for employment in 14 specified sectors, though number of Nepali workers Japan will take and cost has yet not been disclosed.
Officiating secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), Ram Prasad Ghimire and Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo signed the MoC on behalf of their respected governments in capital today. The MoC will come into force from April 1, 2019.
Nepal has been sending youths to South Korea through the government-to-government (G2G) agreement under Employment Permit System (EPS), which is much safer and most lucrative destination for Nepali youths. Now, the successful and safer process of migration will be replicated with Japan too. 
After signing the MoC, Nepal has joined the list of eight countries authorised to send specified skilled workers to Japan after latter decided last year to loosen the restriction of entry for foreign workers. According to Japanese envoy Saigo, Japan estimates to recruit nearly 304,000 workers in five years from the eight countries including Nepal. "The foreign workers will receive treatment on par with the domestic workers in Japan including remuneration, medical care and other issues," he added.
The new policy of the second biggest economy of Asia will give the foreign workers the status of residence is aimed at addressing the serious labour shortage in Japan by accepting experienced foreign human resources with specific expertise and skills. Under the new programme, Japan will accept skilled workers from eight countries including Nepal in 14 specified sectors ranging from nursing care to aviation industry, according to the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
There are two categories for SSW, who will be recruited under the new policy. Under the first category, workers with required skills will be allowed to stay in Japan for up to five years in total. Workers recruited under this category must have proficiency in Japanese language for daily life and at the workplace.
Similarly, the second category will allow foreigners with expert level skills to work in Japan while being accompanied by their family members.
The recruitment of Nepali workers based on the demand of employers in Japan will be carried out by a separate unit established under the Department of Foreign Employment, according to the ministry that will facilitate the recruitment process through a separate unit. "The unit will call for applicants, facilitating the Japanese side to conduct the language and skills tests and oversee the deployment of the successful applicants to Japan," the ministry added. "The applicants must pass language and sector-specific skills exams which will be conducted by the Japanese side."
According to the ministry, a joint task force has been formed to finalise the mechanism, process and remaining issues on sending Nepali workers. The MoC to send Nepali workers to Japan will establish a basic framework for information partnership in order to ensure smooth and proper sending and accepting specified skilled workers, states a press issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu after the signing labour deal between the two countries. "This deal will eliminate malicious intermediary organisations and will resolve the problems of sending, accepting and residing in Japan of specified skilled workers," the press note reads, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan enhances the mutual benefits of both countries, through cooperation for proper operation of the system, in collaboration with the relevant ministries and agencies of Japan.

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