Around 335 Bhutanese have registered for the reintegration programme

KP Sharma

A total of 335 Bhutanese nationals have registered for the National Reintegration Programme (NRP) under the REVIVE initiative as of August 9, 2024, according to the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship.

The registered returnees include 193 males and 142 females.

The NRP is designed to facilitate the smooth reintegration of Bhutanese returning from abroad by addressing their needs and integrating them into the local workforce.

Of the registered individuals, 163 of them—nearly 49 percent—have expressed interest in civil service roles, reflecting a strong preference for the stability and security offered by public sector employment in Bhutan.

The majority of these returnees, 188 or 56.4 percent, come from Australia.

The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship stated that these registered returnees are primarily seeking secure employment upon their return to Bhutan.

While many are looking for stable job opportunities, others have shown interest in entrepreneurship training.

This could potentially lead to a rise in entrepreneurial activities as these returnees seek to establish new businesses.

To ensure the programme’s success, the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship has been actively engaging with stakeholders through consultation meetings. Consultation meetings have been conducted to garner support for the economic and psycho-social reintegration of the returnees.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment is focused on providing career guidance, advocacy, and facilitating re-employment opportunities, though success will largely depend on job market conditions and sectoral willingness to absorb these returnees.

Further, the department stated that the NRP is a multi-sectoral initiative, and the ministry plans to identify the specific areas of interest of the registrants to facilitate their reintegration. For those requiring re-employment, a facilitation and referral process will be implemented in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

In cases where vacancies are not available in the preferred areas, or candidates are not selected, alternative job options will be explored through career counseling and guidance.

In addition, those interested in starting new businesses will receive entrepreneurship training and other business development services, ensuring that the returnees are provided with the necessary tools and support to achieve long-term economic stability.

The NRP, launched by the government this year, aims to support those returning to Bhutan and contribute to the nation’s development.