Unemployment is on the rise. But that is no surprise. We knew, since we began the development journey, that we would have to deal with unemployment, sooner rather than later. And we have seen the trend grow, step by step.
It is not just a question of providing jobs for youth. It is now a question of dealing with the urban drift and a range of social problems.
Once crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and homelessness start affecting urban youth it is the beginning of the end as far as social stability is concerned.
Most of the measures we have adopted so far have been short-term responses to the trend. Even job fairs, a concept developed for private sector companies to seek young professionals, will have a limited impact on Bhutan’s problem.
The message for Bhutanese youth is that the civil service is saturated and that they should turn to the private sector for employment.
But the private sector has had limited jobs to offer. Like many developing countries government is still viewed as the most secure job market.
Employment is one of the most important mandates of the state in the draft Constitution. Educating citizens is half the battle. The other half is creating job opportunities.
A key question when it comes to youth employment is, have we given up hope of keeping our youth on the farms? Has unemployment in the town become more attractive than self-reliance on the farm? Even as roads, power, and telephone links reach out to rural Bhutan the youth are running towards the towns.
Once children go to school the farms are not even an option.
The policy of balanced development has been fighting a losing battle. Is there hope? Is Bhutan eventually going to become one big city or do we dare contemplate truly drastic measures that will make rural life attractive for the youth?
Can we build new agriculture colleges instead of expanding business courses? Can more farm roads take precedence over highways?
Can we build rural irrigation canals instead of urban water systems? Can our banks fund more tractors and fewer taxis? Can rural wages be more attractive than urban salaries? Can we imagine more clinics and schools in rural areas?
Or should we start planning sweatshops to employ youth running away from the pristine countryside? Is rural Bhutan, the symbolic image of Bhutan history?
Is it already too late?