1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

working permits. After the completion of the big projects in a few years’ time,
the number of the expatriate workforce would definitely need to be reduced to
30,000.
The Minister stressed that as submitted by the Gasa Chimi, all Bhutanese should
be concerned at the increase in the size of the expatriate workforce. The
Bhutanese people should at all times remember the adverse condition and
situation in 1987 and 1988 when expatriate workers in the country numbered
113,000. The present Ngolop problem in southern Bhutan also arose after the
repatriation of the expatriate workers after the completion of the Chhukha
Hydropower Project, Penden Cement Authority and the construction of roads
and other infrastructure in the country. The Ngolop problem would however, be
discussed as a separate agenda item. Apart from the threat to the security and
sovereignty of a small country like Bhutan, the presence of a large expatriate
workforce also increases the risks to the general peace and prosperity of the
people.
The Minister added that the large expatriate workforce also contributes to the
increase in the crime rate, adds pressure on the free social services and denies
employment opportunities to the citizens.
The Minister informed the Assembly that more youth are migrating out of rural
areas into urban areas seeking employment opportunities. It is also expected that
in the next five years about 50,000 young people will come out of the school
education system into the job market. It is important that the jobs presently
occupied by expatriates are opened and additional jobs created for our youth. In
this regard, the enhancement of the wage rate has encouraged our people to opt
for the manual jobs that were earlier only taken up by expatriates.
In view of its importance, the issue has been discussed, since 1966, 15 times in
the National Assembly, and each session has passed resolutions concerning this
168