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KP Sharma
The Ministry of Labour has again reminded Bhutanese employers not to hire foreign workers for plumbing and electrical work.
The department said the rule was made under the Foreign Workers Recruitment Regulations to promote skills development and encourage employment for locals.
Despite last year’s notice, some building owners have continued to hire foreign workers in these restricted areas, making it more difficult for local plumbers and electricians to find work.
The ministry’s call is part of a wider strategy to address “critical skills shortages” in foreign workforce recruitment regulations. The ministry added that foreign workers would only be considered for plumbing and electrical work if there was clear evidence of local talent shortages or on a case-by-case basis.
“These occupations are now classified as non-critical occupations, unlike their previous status of ‘closed occupations’ to foreigners,” the department said.
The notice also warned that employers who violate these provisions will face legal action under existing laws.
The department said hiring foreign workers for plumbing and electrical work without the approval of the Chief Labour Administrator (CLA) or in violation of the occupation specified on the work permit will be considered as misuse or alteration of the permit.
Such violations are classified as fourth-degree felonies under Sections 221-222 of the Labor and Employment Code of 2007. These provisions also apply to employers.
The revised Rules and Regulations on the Management of Foreign Workers in 2024 further restrict foreign workers from participating in non-critical industries or occupations listed in the Critical Skill Shortage List (CSSL) without CLA approval.
According to the regulations, foreign workers who violate this regulation for the first time will face a fine of ninety times the daily minimum wage. If they violate the regulation for the second time, their work permit will be revoked and they will be reported to the Immigration Department for deportation.
Parsuram Chamlagai, liaison officer for electrical and plumbing services in Tsirang and Dagana, expressed concern that hiring foreign workers in fields for which Bhutanese are qualified would hurt the prospects of locally trained technicians.
“When foreign workers take over jobs that Bhutanese are capable of doing, it discourages our own well-trained technicians and limits their employment opportunities,” he said.
He said some Vocational Training Institute (VTI) and Technical Training Institute (TTI) graduates had to change careers due to lack of employment opportunities.
He added that despite the perception that local workers cost more, demand for local workers remains high.
In Chirang, Parsuram Chamlagai handles much of the electrical and plumbing work himself and has noticed a growing interest in these trades among young VTI graduates.
A group of TVET graduates at a construction site in Thimphu also said that if employers abide by the law, it will benefit both the country and the employers. They believe that giving priority to domestic workers will not only create more jobs but also ensure that employers receive quality services.
The department issued the reminder following a recent meeting with local workforce representatives, which raised concerns about the issue.
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