South Korea has significantly increased Pakistan’s labor quota for 2025, allowing more Pakistani workers to seek employment in the country under the Employment Permit System (EPS), officials said on Monday.
According to details shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the National Assembly, Pakistan has been allocated a quota of 5,400 workers for next year, up from 2,400 in 2024. The expansion follows successful negotiations between Pakistan and South Korea’s Human Resource Development (HRD) Mission.
Officials said the decision reflects South Korea’s growing confidence in the skill, discipline, and productivity of Pakistani workers currently employed under the EPS framework. The system enables foreign workers to fill labor shortages in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
To qualify for employment in South Korea, applicants from Pakistan must pass the EPS-TOPIK (Korean language proficiency test) and complete a skills assessment. The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) manages the process locally, ensuring compliance with Korean labor standards.
Authorities noted that the HRD Mission’s continued collaboration with Pakistan has played a key role in expanding job opportunities abroad.