Govt ask contractors to hire local skilled workforce

 The decision came after stiff opposition from several NGOs against the government’s decision to grant special permission to bring highly-skilled workforce from outside the state.

“The government has taken serious note of the concern expressed by the civil societies. A notification in this regard has been issued by the Directorate of Employment & Craftsmen Training for requesting the contractors/private employers to give first preferences to local people especially those who are trained and have returned from different parts of the country,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a review meeting held here.

The notification said skill or highly-skilled resources working in different sectors in the state have migrated back to their home-state and are unlikely to return in the near future adding this has and will result in shortage of semi-skill, skilled and highly-skilled resources in the state.

It said major construction activities like roads & bridges have been adversely affected and are not in a position to resume work due to non-availability of semi-skill, skilled and highly-skilled labourers. Other employers are also facing similar constrain and challenges of scarcity of resources. This has resulted in a major demand-supply imbalance.

“In this critical situation, all the contractors/employers are to explore possibilities of engaging the local semi-skill, skilled and highly-skilled resources who are in available in the state,” said the notification.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Employment & Craftsman Training has also decided to impart necessary skilling or up-skilling to meet the requirements of the contractors and employers.

“In case of shortage or non-availability of the required resources in the state, the contractors/employers may approach the office…with details of requirement in terms of traders, skill-sets and numbers so that necessary skilling/up-skilling may be imparted to meet the requirement.”

The notification however stated that in case, the requirement is not met from the above options, employers or contractors may explore and engage skilled and highly-skilled workforce from outside the state.

By Our Reporter