Candidates for a government program that sends Cambodians to work in South Korea can file paperwork closer to home this year, as applications will now be distributed in 13 provinces.

The move comes in response to the popularity of the decade-old program, which this year will send more than 6,000 workers to South Korea for industrial, construction and agricultural jobs funded by the South Korean government, an announcement signed by Ministry of Labour general director Heng Sour said.

Previously, those who applied to take the Korean-language test to qualify for the program needed to file their paperwork in Phnom Penh.

“The ministry decided to distribute applications to some provinces because we don’t want all applicants from every province to gather in Phnom Penh,” Sorn Sok Khim, a Ministry officer, said. “That can cause crowds too large to handle.”

Nearly 30,000 Cambodian nationals currently work in South Korea, he said.

Applications will be available until Friday in provincial labour offices in Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kratie, Prey Veng, Pursat, Siem Reap, Svay Rieng and Takeo.