The Bhutanese Leading the way.
To the question asked by the Khar-Yurung Constituency MP, Sangay Thinley, on the regularization of Contract Employees, the Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) to merge regular and consolidated contract roles into para-regular positions.
“I do not directly have the authority to carry it out since the authority under our laws have been identified and placed with the RCSC,” said the PM, and further added, “ However, I have not left it at that, but taken up consistent discussions with RCSC to chart a way forward to regularize their services.”
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing job security for all civil servants, PM noted that while decisions on this matter rest with the RCSC under current legal frameworks, substantial progress has been made.
Since assuming office, the government has formed a dedicated sub-committee comprising key officials to review pertinent issues.
The sub-committee has submitted four comprehensive reports to the Lhengye Zhungtshog, with recommendations forwarded to the RCSC for deliberation. Currently, discussions between the government and the RCSC are underway to finalize measures that will streamline employment conditions for contract, ESP, and GSP personnel.
Acknowledging the significant contribution of contract employees, particularly in sectors such as education where a considerable number serve long-term, PM highlighted challenges associated with tenure-based contracts, impacting career progression and financial access.
PM reiterated the government’s stance on labor issues, aiming to encourage a conducive environment for all civil servants while awaiting further developments from ongoing deliberations with RCSC.
“We coined this nomenclature, para-regular, to refer to any other regular service or a branch of it. Deviating and improving a bit from the conventional understanding, RCSC has agreed to extend tenure of para-regulars to 5 years, an addition of 2 more years.”
Regarding ESP and GSP personnel, there are approximately 6,500 individuals in this category.
“If the contract service requirement is for three years, and there is no requirement for the services after that, then it’s okay to have a tenure-based service contract. But if the service requirement is necessary, yet the service contract tenure is kept for only 3 years, then it requires review and necessary policy interventions.”
The PM said such rules makes these dedicated workers face uncertainties due to their three-year service terms, which can disrupt their employment continuity.
“We are advocating for changes that would regularize ESP and GSP roles, granting them benefits like PF, pension, annual leave, and gratuity, similar to their civil servant counterparts. This process involves ongoing discussions with the RCSC to establish appropriate service conditions that recognize their significant contributions,” the PM said.
The PM’s response concludes with an information that he has persistently asked RCSC to regularize their service, and that the government is in the process of discussing these issues with RCSC. PM said, “We will explore all other options and find an appropriate service condition for our employees currently serving as contract employees, ESP and GSP.”
