KATHMANDU: Nepal and Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on a basic framework for hiring “specified skilled workers” on Monday.

Joint Secretary at the Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Ram Prasad Ghimire and Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo signed the MOC at a program in the capital.

With the agreement, the process of hiring Nepali workers will begin from April 1.

The Japan government will open Japanese Information Center in the capital like the EPS Korean Section established by by Korean government in Nepal.

The ministry has expected that this job will comparatively be more impartial and lucrative as the Nepali workers will enjoy pay perks and other benefits on a par with the Japanese citizens.

Manpower agencies will not be involved in the process.  Nepali workers will be supplied to Japan through the government mechanism.

Japan has prioritized four sectors in the first phase – health, industry, caregiver and agriculture sector.