The Royal Civil Service Commission has extended the contract period of General Service Personnel (GSP) and Elementary Service Personnel (ESP) employees. Their contract period will be extended up to five years. However, the RCSC said they have to yet to finalise on the para-regular status. There are about 6,500 GSP and ESP employees.
According to the RCSC, the GSP and ESP’s contract extensions may now be granted up to five years at a time with the mutual consent of both the agency and the employee.
Earlier, the contract period is up to three years based on clean service record and performance.
With the five-year contract term, the employees can now avail themselves of loans of up to 500,000 ngultrum from banks.
Officials from RCSC said they extended the ESP and GSP’s contract period following a thorough review upon receiving extension request.
According to the RCSC, in July last year, they amended two sections of Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulations 2023 related to contract extensions and remuneration and benefits.
The GSP and ESP employees said that the extension and its finance accessibility would benefit them.
Kezang Choden working at Agriculture Research and Development Sub-Centre said “Since we were on a two-year contract, we could not avail ourselves of a loan. But now that it has been extended to five years, we are eligible for a larger loan amount, which we can use to renovate our house and take care of other needs. I am really happy about the contract extension. Earlier, I used to feel stressed as the two-year term came to an end and had to keep renewing it. Five years feels like a good period to work.”
Bishnu Maya Limbo, a sweeper of Thimphu Thromde said “If we get a loan, we can start a business and do things we want. Previously, without financial assistance, it was hard on us. The loan will benefit us.”
Officials from RCSC said that the contract extension for teachers is also under review.
During the election period, the current government pledged to change the nature of employment from contract to para-regular positions.
They also promised that all contract employees who are regularized as para-regular employees will have benefits same as other civil servants such as home ownership and salary raise, allowances and professional development among others.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Tshering Zam
