THIMPHU, 19 April, 2021 (TON): On 16 April, the ministry of labor and human resources sought to reduce its target for job creation from 52,930 to 26,609 jobs during the 12^th plan mid-term review.

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, who chaired the midterm review, questioned the ministry, “What do you mean when you say job created?”

He said, “Whether the ministry created a job but nobody is keen on taking up that job or does it mean the ministry really employed so many? Or does the target mean the ministry created the jobs in different sectors?” 

Lyonchhen reminded the ministry that pandemic would end someday and that when it does there would be economic and employment issues that is why it was important to ensure the current skills were enhanced and training revamped if necessary. 

Labour Secretary Sonam Wangchuk said that since employment is everyone’s responsibility and the ministry alone cannot create jobs; respective sectors should submit a list of the numbers of jobs they could create.

However, the ministry was asked to study the target again by discussing with different sectors on what jobs are available and what jobs can they create instead of dropping the target.