Preparations are underway to send Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) to Japan through Foreign Employment Agencies after the Japanese government clarified that it will not be directly involved in the recruitment process.
The Japanese government declined the Nepal government's proposal to send skilled workers under a government-to-government (G2G) system. As a result, the Nepal government will now send skilled workers to Japan through manpower agencies, said Rajeev Pokharel, spokesperson at the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security.
Five years after reaching a labor agreement with Japan, procedures have finally been established. This delay had stalled the process of sending skilled Nepali workers, despite the agreement being signed in 2019.
Now the procedures have been in place with the signing by the Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari. Minister Bhandari on February 8 signed the agreement and sent it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu, said Joint Secretary Pokharel.
Earlier, a Nepal-Japan joint task-force met in 2022. During the meeting, the representatives of the Nepali representatives proposed sending skilled labor to Japan, as per a model similar to South Korea's migrant worker program called the Employment Permit System (EPS).
However, the procedure was prepared as per the proposal floated by the Japan government that said the migrant worker program does not fall within the scope of the government. The procedure has been prepared accordingly.
Now that this procedure is established, the Foreign Employment Agencies can send skilled workers to Japan by fulfilling the set criteria.
What is in the procedure?
Only Foreign Employment Agencies that meet the criteria for skilled worker standards and hold valid licenses for overseas worker deployment can send workers, as outlined in the procedure.
Nepali institutes willing to provide skill-based training, language, and orientation classes to Japanese job aspirants must be registered and operated according to the law.
The manpower companies sending skilled workers for employment in Japan must have a full-time or contracted training center. The training center must have at least two language instructors.
The manpower company must open a legally registered branch office in Japan that facilitates collecting and verifying demand for skilled workers and providing necessary welfare services and activities for Nepali workers.
If they do not have their own branch office, they will have to contract with an authorized organization for these services. Such organizations cannot charge fees to Nepali workers and companies.
If the Japanese employer himself or a language and skill training provider comes to Nepal and provides language and skill training, they should have a dedicated training center with its own infrastructure.
Even if it is used for multiple purposes, the center must be available for full-time training through a contract.
Language and skills test
Nepali citizens applying for the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) program in Japan must pass a Japanese language test and a professional skills test. These tests must be conducted by an organization recognized by the relevant Japanese government body or a licensed organization.
The relevant manpower companies submit the details of qualified workers to the Department of Foreign Employment (DFE) and update the list regularly.
The employers will verify the demand letter within 15 days of receipt. It must be either in English or Japanese and include salary, benefits, working conditions, letter of commitment, and employment contract.
The DFE verifies the demand letters within 15 days, and approves designated agencies to conduct language and skills tests, manages a separate system for sending workers selected by employers.
Manpower companies will issue a public notice within 15 days of receiving a demand letter, select workers based on merit after applications are received, and notify selected candidates via mobile phone.
The workers will be selected through a process managed by the DFE Japan Unit.
The DFE will recommend visa applications to the Japanese embassy after receiving an employment contract and verifying the certificate of eligibility for Japan.
Japanese job aspirants have to apply at the embassy, attend pre-departure orientation training, and deposit funds required for the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund and Social Security Fund if a visa is granted.
How much does it cost?
The Ministry has not yet determined the official cost for workers participating in the SSW program.
However, according to Spokesperson Pokharel, the Ministry is considering a potential deduction equal to one month's salary earned in Japan. If the employer agrees, they can choose to cover this cost, eliminating the need for worker deduction. The final decision on this deduction, and whether it applies, will be made by the Ministry.
Workers are responsible for the costs, such as airfare, insurance, medical examination, welfare fund contribution, social security fund contribution
Manpower companies are prohibited from charging fees to workers after selection. However, this exemption does not apply to expenses incurred before worker selection.
The employer must be responsible for repatriation and compensation if a worker requires repatriation due to physical or mental health reasons, or if they die while in Japan.
Workers in this program are expected to earn around 250,000 rupees per month, but this may vary depending on the employer.
