Interested overseas workers for Korea have only until May 14, 2004 to register at the POEA to be incuded in the manpower pool. According to POEA, the registry shall have received an adequate number of applicants by this date who will be scheduled for screening.

Korea will start hiring the first batch of Filipino workers under the employment permit system (EPS) in August 2004. The Philippines will get a substantial share of the quota for foreign workers for 2004 under the EPS.

Filipinos who have worked in Korea and had left Korea before February 28, 2004 under the Voluntary Repatriation Program will be given preference in the selection of jobseekers under the new system. The details of the contract of new workers and guidelines for the hiring are still the subject of negotiations between the Philippine and Korean governments.

Interested applicants from Metro Manila may simply go to the POEA office. Provincial applicants, however, may register in person with other POEA Regional Centers/Extension Offices and with designated PESO and DOLE Regional Offices.

Applicants to the program, who should be between 18-40 years old by August 2004, are required to submit photocopies of NBI certificate, passport/NSO authenticated birth certificate, high school diploma/college diploma and two (2) pieces colored 2 x 2 pictures.

Upon registration, the applicants will be issued a registration certificate. They will be notified of the schedule for the test/s and interview. Applicants who are selected by the Korean employer/s will be required to undergo and pass a medical examination and a 10-day Basic Korean Language Training Course