The Bhutanese Leading the way.
71 are resigned civil servants
The recent announcement by Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay in April 2024 underscored the government’s commitment to bringing back Bhutanese overseas workers. The program is to facilitate and reintegrate Bhutanese coming back from abroad.
As of now, 177 individuals have registered for National Reintegration Program (NRP) through the link provided last week. Among them, 98 are from Australia, with the remainder 79 coming from various Middle Eastern countries.
Of these registrants, 71 of them are generally resigned civil servants with significant numbers having backgrounds in teaching. The majority fall within the 21-40 age which is often considered ideal for employment.
Not all the 177 registrants are in the country right now. 22 individuals wish to return to Bhutan by 2024, followed by 66 in 2025, 11 in 2026, 2 in 2027, and 1 in 2028; meanwhile, 80 are already back in the country.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, Namgyal Dorji, emphasized, “We make no promises, and neither does the NRP. Instead, NRP serves as a registration platform where individuals can seek support upon their return. Our department actively reaches out to facilitate job opportunities.”
Starting July of this year, the Australian government has implemented stricter regulations regarding age limits and Temporary Residence (TR) permits.
This initiative not only targets resigned civil servants, but also extends to private, corporate, and civil society employees. To facilitate this transition, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE) has been tasked with establishing a special desk to support returnees and their redeployment.
An official from the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DoEE) shared, “The primary objective of NRP is to leverage the expertise and experience of retired and returning individuals to address the current workforce needs in Bhutan. By doing so, the program aims to enhance the efficiency of public service delivery and strengthen the private and corporate sectors.”
“Additionally, NRP seeks to address the human resource shortage and skill gaps prevalent in many organizations, creating a win-win situation for both returnees and the Bhutanese economy,” the official further added.
To understand the psychological and social challenges that come with repatriation, NRP offers comprehensive psycho-social services. These include counseling and other relevant support in consultation with stakeholders.
One innovative approach is providing access to well-being centers, offering psychological support, and encouraging returnees to engage in social and community work. This holistic support system aims to create a sense of belonging and satisfaction among returnees.
Career guidance is a cornerstone of NRP. The program provides labor market information, such as available vacancies and opportunities, and offers personalized career counseling where needed. This support is designed to help returnees navigate the Bhutanese job market, and find meaningful employment that matches their skills and experience.
The ministry’s recent initiative, shared via a link last week, has drawn a range of reactions from the public. While some have praised the initiative, others have expressed contrasting views.
One user remarked, “Those who wish to return will do so regardless of schemes. It’s important to focus more on those of us who are here and have committed to staying.”
Another user stated, “Those who have left have already made their decision, so why prioritize them? Similar efforts should be directed towards retaining those who remain.”
On this, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji responded, “While opinions vary, the government must make pathways easier for all. We cannot deter those in their prime earning years who wish to go abroad. Additionally, we’re committed to assisting one individual per family who needs support to pursue opportunities overseas. At the same time, we’re addressing the aspirations of those who wish to return to the country. Our efforts are aimed at facilitating both outbound opportunities and providing avenues for those returning home. We remain dedicated to supporting all paths, whether it’s enabling departures or creating opportunities for those coming back.”
To tailor the program effectively, NRP collects detailed information from returnees, including personal details, employment history in Bhutan, current engagements, areas of interest for redeployment, and their expectations.
This data is crucial for the ministry to design and improve the program, ensuring that the support services provided are relevant and impactful. The collected information also helps in developing targeted interventions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
As per the DoEE, NRP has already seen success in reintegrating several Bhutanese overseas workers. These individuals have benefited from entrepreneurship training and other forms of support, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to Bhutan’s socio-economic development.
In the long term, NRP aims to address critical human resource needs, ease the job search burden, and mitigate economic stress for returnees. By leveraging their skills and expertise, the program seeks to combat brain drain and emigration, ultimately contributing to a more robust and resilient Bhutanese economy.
The program is open to anyone who has resigned and is returning from overseas study or work, with no age limit applied. This inclusive approach ensures that all returning Bhutanese can benefit from the support offered by NRP.
The ministry is committed to facilitating job opportunities, including potentially rehiring civil servants under contract with their former ministries and assigning teachers to schools facing staffing shortages. For non-civil servants, the ministry notes a preference for corporate employment opportunities.
