Picture Courtesy: MoICE
To enhance the well-being and financial security of Bhutanese workers employed in the Middle East, the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship is taking steps to revise the minimum basic salary threshold for Bhutanese who will be recruited through the Overseas Employment Programme in the Middle East from next year. The revision will increase the basic salary threshold to Nu 40,000. However, this does not mean a pay hike for the Bhutanese workers currently working in the Middle East.
This decision marks a raise from the previous minimum basic salary threshold of Nu 30,000, which has been in effect since its revision in 2018. The move comes as a response to findings from the department’s Monitoring Survey Report, 2023 and feedback received from overseas employees.
The department also said that the decision was made because of the global inflationary pressures witnessed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the cost of living in various parts of the world, including Middle Eastern countries.
The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship said that they communicated this directive to Registered Bhutanese Overseas Employment Agents.
They said that the new minimum basic salary threshold will apply exclusively to vacancies received for employment in Middle Eastern countries from January, next year. The aim is to provide greater financial security and job satisfaction to Bhutanese citizens working abroad.
According to data compiled by the Department, nearly 7,000 Bhutanese Overseas Workers have been engaged in various occupations across the Middle East until the fiscal year 2022 – 2023. Presently, approximately 2,500 Bhutanese workers are actively employed in countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Kipchu
