National Council’s legislative committee reiterated providing incentives to employers employing one-hundred percent Bhutanese.
The policy, according to the committee, would reduce the number of foreign workers in the country.
Trongsa’s NC MP, Tharchen said foreign workers occupy most of the positions which Bhutanese can also take up in hydropower projects.
“The counterpart is setting criteria which favour their people and not Bhutanese. This is why it has been difficult for Bhutanese to get employed in hydropower sector.” He said polices should be such that preferences are given to Bhutanese.
MP Tharchen also said the labour ministry do not make an effort to find out where the lapses are.
Some Members also said such an incentive would also help lower the youth unemployment rate.
The youth unemployment rate increased to 10.7 percent in 2015 from 8.6 percent in 2014.
Some said even though the policy is already in place, the employers following it have not received any incentives.
Meanwhile, Members of the Upper House also discussed the need for additional manpower, infrastructure, and other facilities for immigration offices.
They said shortage of manpower and other facilities have made it difficult for immigration officials to combat illegal immigrants entering into the country.
“For them to implement the laws, we have to provide all the amenities. For instance, the Regional Immigration Office in Phuentshogling is under renovation. On the other hand, the Revenue and Customs office looks like a small dzong,” said Sarpang’s NC MP, Dhan Bahadur Monger.
Some also suggested the immigration department be made autonomous.
“There are incidences of higher authorities inferring while immigration officials carry out their duties. If the department becomes autonomous, they will have the full authority to discharge their duties,” said Punakha’s NC MP, Rinzin Dorji.
