Sherub Wangmo | Intern

With the second dose of Covid-19 vaccination campaign completed yesterday, agencies sending Bhutanese to work outside, especially to the Middle East, are waiting to resume their business.

Overseas employment agencies operating in Thimphu said they wait for the labour ministry’s permission to resume their business.

An official working for Rumi Overseas Employment Agency they receive about 10 to 12 calls and many messages on their Facebook page every day from youth inquiring when the business would resume.

She said there are many people who have completed all the formalities to go to the Middle East since last year but got stuck because of the pandemic.

According to the official, Qatar is issuing working visa and their clients are waiting for them to send employees. “Employers in Dubai contacted those who worked there but returned home last year due to the pandemic.”

She said overseas employment agencies contacted labour ministry several times on the matter, but officials told them they are waiting for directives from the government.

Labour ministry officials said they would allow the agencies to resume once the government allows them.

They said sending Bhutanese overseas has been on halt since March last year.

Meanwhile, those who returned from the Middle East said they are waiting to go back.

Pema yangchen, 26, who returned from Kuwait said she is eagerly waiting to go overseas and has been frequently calling the recruitment agencies.

She returned last year in March.

She is availing a training on spa and massage.

Edited by Tashi Dema