Plans to create 4,139 jobs by the end of the year

The labour ministry has created 2,208 job opportunities, meeting 53 percent of the target from the Nu 262.808 million supplementary budget that was allotted in the last financial year.

The budget was approved to create 4,139 jobs during the 8th parliament session. The ministry is still in the process of creating more job opportunities with the approved budget and is hopeful to meet the target by the end of the year.

Labour minister Ngeema Sangay Tshempo presented the status on job creation to the parliament on May 16 in response to a question from Kengkhar-Weringla’s member of parliament (MP) Rinzin Jamtsho, during the question-answer session.

Rinzin Jamtsho asked the minister to update the house on the status of utilisation of the budget and the number of job opportunities created to meet the target. The MP asked how many were employed and in which sectors.

Lyonpo said various employment programmes were introduced in state owned enterprises and through overseas employment scheme. He said 711 people were employed through direct employment programme and permanent employment programme in different sectors. He added that another 655 were employed in other programmes with the government paying full salary.

The health sector, schools and other ministries have employed another 383 while 60 non-governmental organisations employed about 28 people. The ministry has also employed 842 people under overseas employment scheme. About six states owned enterprises employed 147 people.

Lyonpo informed the house that another 191 would be employed during the job fair that opened in the capital yesterday.

“The ministry has spent Nu 80 million of the budget so far and we have met about 53 percent of the target,” Lyonpo said. “We’re still working on it as per the human resources plan to meet the target by the end of this year.”

Lyonpo explained that the ministry also has another programme called education and skills where job seekers can go to study and work in Japan by availing a loan. “This has helped reduce the government expenditure.”

Yangchen C Rinzin