The latest group of employees assembles at Wattay International Airport before heading for jobs in South Korea.

More Lao nationals applying for jobs in South Korea

The number of Lao nationals applying for work in South Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS) has steadily increased.
As of last month, the number of people passing the requisite tests rose to 2,477, up from 837 people in 2022. A total of 713 people travelled to Korea to take up jobs this year, up from the 611 people who went to work in the country last year.
Since 2017, a total of 4,378 Lao nationals have passed the tests required by Korean employers and 1,740 people have taken up jobs in the Republic of Korea.

The Vice president of HRDK visits the Pre-employment training course.	Applicants take the first round of the Korean language test.

What is the EPS?
S. Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS), introduced in 2004, was implemented by the government in response to concerns about the treatment of migrant workers in the country. The system allows foreign workers to work in S. Korea legally in small and medium sized factories under contracts that are valid for three or more years.
All foreign nationals have rights and eligibility for social welfare benefits, the same as Korean workers.
Procedures for job applicants
People who wish to work in S. Korea must pass a Korean language test and skills test, have a health check, register with the job seeker system, be selected by an employer, making an agreement with an employer, take a Pre-employment training course, get a CCVI number from an employer for a visa application, obtain a visa, and then travel to S. Korea.
Who can apply under the EPS?
- Applicants must be aged between 18 and 39.
- Must never have suffered a herniated disc and not currently have any form of illness banned in S. Korea such as a sexually-transmitted infection or tuberculosis.
- Must not have a criminal record, which would lead to expulsion from S. Korea.
- Must not have any limitations regarding overseas travel.
- Must not be colour blind.
- Those who formerly worked in S. Korea with E-9 or E-10 for less than five years.
What documents are necessary for application and testing?
- A completed application form.
- One colour copy of passport or identification card.
- Two photos measuring 3.4x4.5 cm on a white background.
- Payment of US$28 application fee.
Minimum wage
Labourers will work 8 hours per day from 9am to 6pm and five days per week or 209 hours per month. The wage per hour is 9,620 won (rate for year 2023) or 2,010,580 won  (about 29,977,747 kip  or US$1,452.90) per month.
Period of employment
- Contract to be renewed every year (work period from 3 years to 10 years).
- If approved, workers can hold jobs for up to 10 years.
Cost of all procedures required for work in S. Korea through EPS
The total cost is US$1,789. This includes a test fee of US$28, a medical costing US$40, Tuberculin skin test costing US$15, Korean culture learning US$48, visa issuing US$60, plane ticket US$1,300, taxes of US$12, travel insurance US$96, PCR test US$65, T-shirt US$10, and other expenses amounting to US$62.
Job information channels
Those interested in working in S. Korea and who would like more information can visit the Facebook page Eps Laos, contact the Laos EPS Centre or ກົມການຈັດຫາງານ, or call 021 220013 (EPS Centre) or 020 99270102 (Employment Department).

Korean employers interview Lao job applicants.	Applicants take the second part of the skills test.	Vice President of HRDK and Chief Representative of EPS Centre in Laos visit the examination room.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 7, 2023)