67,000 jobs will be created in 12th Plan

According to the Labour and Human Resource Min­ister, Ugyen Dorji, there will be more than 82,000 job seekers and out of which 77,000 will be the youth in 12th Plan period. This was informed to the house by the minister in response to the question raised by the Nganglam MP Choida Jamt­sho on Friday.

MP Choida Jamtsho questioned the minister on the government’s plan to solve unemployment prob­lem in 12th Five Year Plan (FYP). He also said that it is the responsibility of the government to not send youth overseas and instead work towards giving full in-country employment.

In response, Lyonpo said “The unemployment prob­lem remained as a one the biggest challenges and na­tional priorities in the past 10 years and still it remain as challenge. In 10th FYP the unemployment rate was 9.9 percent. It dropped to 9.6% at the end of 10 FYP which is only 0.3%. In 11 FYP the unemploy­ment rate in the country in­creased 12 percent.

Lyonpo informed the house that the government is working with various plans and programs like forming multi-sector com­mittee which will help in creating job opportunities. “A total of 67,000 jobs will be created in the 12FYP and out of which more than half will be jobs related to youth. There will be direct employment scheme and it is expected to create almost 20,000 jobs,” Lyonpo added.

Regarding overseas jobs, if there is good opportunity, the government will send youth as it is not possible for 100% employment with­in the country, the minister informed.

Jomotshangkha-Mart­shala MP Norbu Wangzom questioned the possibility of loan exemption for the students studying in Japan.

Lyonpo said that during the cabinet meeting, they decided to extend the dura­tion of loan repayment until the students complete the studies and get employed. Soon the team lead by the labor minister will leave to Japan to look into the mat­ter.

Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering said that consider­ing the long term interest of the nation, out of various so­lutions, the government de­cided to extend the time for the loan repayment. “Waiv­ing off loan is not possible for the students studying in Japan. It is easy to start the loan waiver “Kidu” but it will be difficult to stop,” he said. Lyonchhen also asked the members not to raise the issue in on order to gain political mileage. He also requested opposition leader to select one capable mem­ber from opposition party that will be leaving to Ja­pan with the team from the MoLHR to study the matter.

Lyonchhen added that the team led by labor min­ister will not only study the problems of the student studying in Japan but also look at the other areas for employment.

 

By Phuntsho Wangdi