Thimphu (Kuensel) - The Japanese government and its relevant authorities have assured support to facilitate visa extension for Bhutanese youth undergoing training and those working in Japan.
However, according to a report by the high-level delegation to Japan, the Bhutanese government is required to share comprehensive information and status of Bhutanese youth placed in Japan. A seven-member delegation led by labour minister Ugyen Dorji visited Japan from April 16 to 27. The report stated that the visit was aimed to receive a clear picture of the situation. A three-member team comprising officials from the labour ministry and Bhutan Development Bank Ltd visited Japan from April 10 to 29 to facilitate the Overseas Education and Skills Development Loan deferment scheme.
The minister’s delegation met with 144 Bhutanese placed through the Learn and Earn Programme (LEP) and management of seven language institutes. The three-member team was able to meet 219 students.
It found that 72 were employed of which almost 71 went through Bhutan Employment Overseas agent (BEO), 79 were looking for jobs, 229 were studying, 127 had joined vocational colleges/universities, and 226 students had returned to Bhutan.
Eighteen students are expected to return to Bhutan this month while the status of 13 Bhutanese are under confirmation according to the report.
Only 51 youth of the 219 have applied for loan deferment scheme.
According to the report, the team found that the youth are faced with fundamental problems of meeting expenses like tuition fees and loan repayment apart from having to learn and work at the same time. Some students submitted that visa extension, finding jobs, and working visa are pressing problems.
However, despite all the commotions between the ministry, youth and BEO, it was reported that some of the youth placed by BEO are doing good and have managed to secure full time employment.
“Majority of the students placed by BEO in the first study Japanese Language School in Osaka have found employment on completion of their language course,” the report states. “A total of 31 students were enrolled in the school of which 20 got full time employment and six are enrolled in vocational colleges.”
The team found that it was evident that the agent and students had contradicting ideas particularly on the utilisation of loan amount and payment of initial tuition fees and dormitory charges.
“However, most students are interested and willing to stay back in Japan to continue their studies or find fulltime work,” the report said.
It was also found that students placed through Bhutan Overseas Jinzai are also doing well and did not report any major problems since proper monitoring is carried out due to small number of enrolment.
During the meeting, the Japanese government also placed emphasis on Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) visa scheme introduced in April this year. “The visit also aimed at assessing situation of students placed through learn and earn programme (LEP) and also explore opportunities under Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and SSW visa scheme for Bhutanese.”
The Japanese authorities recommended that those students placed through LEP but were unable to secure jobs could apply for TITP and the new SSW scheme after they return to Bhutan, according to the report.
The ministry in its press release stated that while Japanese government is dealing with thousands of students from different countries, it couldn’t expect any preferential treatment. However, the two countries have committed to work closely to solve the issue and prospects to benefit the youth.
With this, the delegations from supervising organisations and implementing companies have agreed to visit Bhutan this month.
“In response to the request by the delegation, the Honorary Consul General and Honorary Consuls of Bhutan in Japan assured their support in finding jobs for students who met the eligibility criteria. They also committed to work closely with the Japanese government on visa status of residence extension.”
They would recruit Bhutanese students with requisite skills and enthusiasm into their organisations. However, those who are unable to meet the criteria would have to return to Bhutan but consideration would be given to participate in the TITP and SSW, if eligible.
The nine-page report was also presented to the Prime Minister, Speaker of National Assembly, Chairman of National Council and the Opposition Leader.
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