Government strengthens support for overseas returnees and jobseekers

Neten Dorji

The government is intensifying efforts to reintegrate Bhutanese citizens returning from overseas while ensuring that aspiring jobseekers are connected with safe and credible international employment opportunities.

Two major initiatives under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment—the National Reintegration Programme (NRP) and the Overseas Employment Programme (OEP) are at the centre of this strategy.

Speaking at the meet-the-press session on Friday, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister, Namgyal Dorji, said the NRP is aimed at encouraging Bhutanese workers abroad to return and reintegrate into the national workforce.

“The programme is to facilitate reemployment by supporting returnees in finding work either in public service, their previous organisations like corporations, or with new employers,” the minister said. “But the programme does not guarantee automatic placement.”

Returnees must meet the eligibility requirements of respective organisations and go through open, merit-based recruitment processes. The ministry supports the process by referring qualified candidates to relevant opportunities as and when they arise.

“Reintegration is crucial, not only for the individuals returning home but also for the broader economy. The skills, experience, and knowledge they bring back can contribute meaningfully to national development,” Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji said.

To date, more than 500 Bhutanese working and studying abroad have registered for reintegration support. Of these, 160 individuals have formally registered under the National Reintegration Programme.

Despite progress in rolling out the programme and institutionalising outbound labour migration, the government acknowledges that reintegrating overseas returnees into the national workforce remains a significant challenge.

Since its inception in 2013, the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship’s Overseas Employment Programme has facilitated placements for 15,396 Bhutanese. More than 75,000 citizens are currently working or studying abroad, with Australia emerging as the top destination.

Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji said the OEP continues to play a vital role in addressing youth unemployment by providing young Bhutanese with opportunities for international work experience and exposure.

“This programme is designed to foster knowledge transfer and professional growth, while contributing to the national economy through remittances,” he said. “Our youth typically go on two- to three-year contracts, after which they are encouraged to return home and bring their skills and experience back into the domestic workforce.”

The government is deliberately maintaining the OEP on a modest scale to prevent an unsustainable outflow of young workers.

However, Lyonpo raised concern over the growing number of Bhutanese youth independently seeking employment abroad, often through unregistered agents or informal recruiters. This has resulted in several cases where individuals have ended up in exploitative or unsafe working environments.

“While the ministry cannot entirely prevent individuals from seeking employment opportunities overseas on their own, we remain committed to connecting youth with credible international employers and registered recruiters,” said the minister.

The ministry is also intensifying efforts to raise awareness about the risks associated with unverified recruitment agents.