The Department of Labour has penalised around 30 foreign workers working as plumbers and electricians in Thimphu. The department started restricting foreign workers from working as plumbers and electricians in the country since 2012. According to the department, the restriction is based on the Regulations of Foreign Workers Recruitment and is intended to facilitate skills development and promote local employment.
The department received written complaints from technical graduates and skilled workers about foreign plumbers and electricians working illegally in the labour market.
Following that, the Department of Labour imposed fines on 17 foreign workers and deported 12 workers during inspections from September last year till date.
All of them were working in Thimphu.
According to the Department of Labour, the recruitment of foreign workers is accepted only when there is a genuine shortage of local workforce or when qualified Bhutanese workers are unwilling to take up jobs.
For now, the department says that plumbing and electrical works are for local workers, including graduates from technical training institutes.
The rule intends to help build a skilled workforce that can meet domestic needs and reduce dependency on foreign workers.
Phuntsho Dendup, Sr. Labour Officer of Department of Labour said “The department has not been approving foreign workers in the categories of these two occupations that is plumbing and electrical. However, it was observed that our employers, particularly in private house construction, still do employ foreign workers as electricians and plumbers. But these occupations are not approved by the Department of Labour, meaning that they recruit these foreign workers as a carpenter or maybe as a mason, and then when it comes to site, they work as a plumber or electrician.”
Bhutanese plumbers and electricians BBS talked to said that engagement of foreign workers has been hampering their job opportunities.
Kezang Dorji, an electrician said “It is difficult to get jobs as plumbers and electricians when foreign workers fill these job vacancies. It is also hard to get other jobs as we are not skilled in other fields. On top of that, when Bhutanese employers recruit foreign workers, it is more challenging for us to get jobs.”
Dhiraj Biswa, a plumber said “When foreign workers take up the available jobs, we are left without opportunities. So, just having a certificate without a job is not enough. Because of this, some go abroad and others remain jobless.”
The Department of Labour is working on various initiatives to enhance and encourage the local workforce. The department has formed several groups of local plumbers and electricians to meet the local demand and provide job opportunities.
There are over 200 registered local plumbers and electricians spread across 19 districts.
The department ensures that the groups comply with standards, including delivering quality work at reasonable rates, completing projects on time, and maintaining professionalism.
From 2008 to 2022, the government trained more than 3,000 electricians and over 900 plumbers in Technical Training Institutes.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Tshering Zam
