ISLAMABAD: Pakistani job seekers aiming to work in Korea are being advised to focus on language proficiency and merit, following recent updates to the Korean foreign workforce quota.
The head of Pakistan’s EPS (Employment Permit System) Center held a key meeting with the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) to discuss the EPS and points-based selection system for sending Pakistani workers abroad. Officials discussed strategies to increase the number of Pakistani workers overseas while ensuring candidates meet the required standards.
During the session, the EPS Center head emphasized that Korean employers prioritize workers with strong Korean language skills. Proficiency helps workers quickly adapt to the work environment, improves productivity, and reduces industrial accidents.
Under the EPS system, employers receive computerized lists of candidates from local employment centers. For every vacancy, three times the number of candidates are recommended, but final selection is made solely by the employer. No other agency or individual influences the decision.
The points-based selection system evaluates candidates strictly on numerical scores, which include results from the Korean language test and skills assessment. This year, a minimum score of 60 will be required for the Korean language test in the manufacturing sector. The skills assessment has been simplified, while the interview component has been strengthened to better evaluate candidates’ abilities.
Following COVID-19, a large number of Pakistani workers were sent to Korea, though recent deployments have slowed. In response, Korea’s Foreign Workforce Policy Committee has revised entry quotas, and the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources Development Service of Korea has planned adjustments to selection quotas.
Officials stressed that while some variations may occur in industry selection for different countries, all other rules and procedures remain uniform. Pakistani workers with strong language skills are expected to gain more recognition over time, paving the way for increased overseas employment opportunities.
