SARBHANG

25 December, 2008 - With the establishment of a new regional labour office in Gelephug, contractors need not travel to Thimphu to process labour permits.

Contractors based in Sarpang and Gelephug said that, although there was a regional immigration office in the border town, they had to travel to Thimphu to process the permit. “Things improved after the labour ministry posted online permits, but not many were Internet friendly,” said a contractor.

The inauguration of a regional office for employment and labour office in Gelephug on December 20 brought services closer to the people. The regional office will issue labour permits and ensure labour management Policies. The office will also cater to job seekers on employment-related information and counselling, and corporate and private sector employees on human resource developments of six dzongkhags: Sarpang, Tsirang, Dagana, Trongsa, Bumthang and Zhemgang.

“The establishment of the regional office in Gelephug is a part of the government’s commitment to enhance service delivery to the general public,” said the labour minister, Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi.

The minister said that providing employment has become the greatest challenge for the government, as about 93,000 job seekers will be entering the job market in the next five years. “This regional office will cater to job-seekers like the offices in Thimphu and Phuentsholing,” the minister said, adding that the youth will no longer have to come to Thimphu.

A mother of five school-going children, Pema, said that the regional office would be of great help to her. Without any close relatives in Thimphu, she dreaded sending her sons to the capital to seek employment.

“I’m happy they can now apply for jobs here,” she said.

The deputy director for department of labour, Pema Wangda, said that the regional office would also solve problems like labour disputes and discrepancies in the region.

Pema Wangda said that a labour inspection system would be established to improve working conditions in all workplaces and make workplaces safer, healthier and more productive. “Labour inspectors will assure good working conditions, including wages, safety, and health of the workers.”

(Kuensel)