MoLTM running JITCO process at a snail's pace

The Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) process managed by the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM) is moving at a snail's pace. Nepal has not got even a single call from Japan in a month even after launching the JITCO directives.

Earlier, officials of MoLTM had claimed that sending industrial trainees (ITs) would start from the launching of directives. "Japan is open for IT aspirants from today," MoLTM secretary Babu Ram Acharya had said on December 7, 2009.

Outsourcing agencies selected for JITCO have not got any demand till date. "We are exploring the market and it takes at least two months to get calls," said Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) president Tilak Rana Bhat. "It takes time to explore new market," he said.

"But we are trying our best."

MoLTM had selected 172 outsourcing agencies, including Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in the middle of last year.

The ministry is distributing certificates of selection these days. The delay by MoLTM is hampering the JITCO process, marring the dreams of hundreds of youth.

The much-vaunted JITCO process will not be easy to carry out. It has strict provisions and scrutinizing processes from where the source agencies, outsourcing agencies and ITs have to pass, said Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) director Umashankar Joshi. "It is a Herculean task," he said adding sending 500 ITs in a year will be a big achievement for Nepal.

Under JITCO process, ITs must produce guarantee of return after completing the training or internship period. "Family members or close-relative of ITs must give the assurance of their return," said Joshi.

The outsourcing agency too will have responsibility of calling back the ITs. Unemployed youths cannot get benefit from the JITCO process.

People working in industrial or service sectors can apply as ITs but their firm must be three years old on December 31, 2009. Workwise, they should have minimum experience of two years before applying. JITCO trainees earn Rs 35,000 whereas interns can earn up to Rs 1,00,000 per month.

Moreover, JITCO trainees should have knowledge of Japanese language and culture.

ITs must take a 180-hour language course and pass it.

JITCO and MoLTM have appointed Bishwa Bhasha Campus to arrange the language exam.