Nepali EPS Workers Protest in South Korea Over Roster Expiry
Nepali workers under South Korea's EPS programme have reportedly staged a protest citing concerns over looming roster expiry. The report was published on 3 February 2026.
What happened
Nepali workers affiliated with South Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS) have reportedly organised a protest in South Korea, citing concerns linked to looming roster expiry. The development was reported by Ratopati with a publication timestamp of Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT.
The available material references only the headline and that the protest relates to the EPS roster. No further details on the location of the protest, number of participants, or specific demands were included in the provided page text.
Why it matters for jobseekers
For Nepalis aspiring to work in South Korea, the EPS roster is a critical stage. After passing the language test and other processes, candidates are placed on a roster from which Korean employers select workers. If the roster period expires without selection, a candidate may have to re-apply.
Any disruption or anxiety around roster expiry is therefore significant. It directly affects planning, finances, and future applications for thousands of EPS hopefuls and their families in Nepal.
General context: How the EPS roster works
This section is general information, not specific to this protest:
- Roster inclusion: Passing the EPS-TOPIK and skills test does not guarantee a job; it places you in a pool of eligible workers.
- Validity period: The roster has a limited validity. If you are not selected by an employer within that period, your roster entry lapses.
- Employer selection: Selection is at the discretion of Korean employers based on labour needs.
What to do next
If you are currently in the roster or preparing for EPS:
- Follow official notices: Rely only on the Department of Foreign Employment and the EPS Section in Nepal, and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) for roster status and expiry rules.
- Keep documents ready: Ensure your passport, medical and other required documents remain valid to avoid delays if you are selected.
- Avoid rumours: Do not pay extra money to agents claiming they can extend roster validity or guarantee selection. Check any claim against official sources.
We will update this story if verified details about the protest and any official response are made available.