January 23, 2026
THIMPHU – For a 33-year-old civil servant and new mother, each day began before sunrise in a frantic race against the clock—preparing meals, organising work, and caring for her infant under the weight of silent anxiety.
“Finding a balance between work, childcare, and household chores before the foreign domestic worker policy was very difficult,” she said. “Everything fell on me.”
Rushing to work each day, she worried constantly about her 10-month-old baby. Evenings offered little relief.
“There was no rest after work,” she said. “Cooking, cleaning, and caring for my child filled my nights. I felt stretched, guilty, and emotionally drained, trying to satisfy both worlds with no support.”
Her experience reflects a growing reality as more women enter Bhutan’s workforce and extended family support wanes, leaving caregiving duties overwhelmingly on women’s shoulders.
A 2021 study by the Royal Institute of Governance and Strategic Studies highlighted a stark market mismatch. While 55 percent of households wanted to hire domestic workers, 31 percent couldn’t afford it. Meanwhile, 69 percent of unemployed youth were interested in domestic work but preferred part-time roles, whereas most families needed live-in caregivers.
A significant wage gap compounded the problem. Local workers expected an average of Nu 13,040 monthly, nearly double what many employers could pay. Combined with societal attitudes that undervalue domestic work, this contributed to a shortage of Bhutanese workers. “The need is there, but the local labour market does not provide for it,” said a senior Department of Labour (DoL) official. “Ignoring this pushes work into the informal sector, where exploitation risks are high.”
In response, the Cabinet directed the legalisation of foreign domestic workers in September 2023, classifying them as home-based personal care workers and child caregivers. The move aimed to regulate an already existing informal sector while safeguarding the rights of both employers and workers.
The policy is rooted in demographic urgency. Bhutan’s fertility rate has plummeted from about 5.6 children per woman in 1990 to 1.4–1.5 recently, far below the replacement level of 2.1.
“This policy was not formulated casually,” a DoL official stated. “It is research-based and aims to professionalise domestic work under labour law, and protect both parties.”
According to the Foreign Workers Management System, 600 foreign workers were approved between January 2023 and October 2025, most being women from Indian border towns, many school dropouts and mothers themselves.
Of the 600 foreign workers approved, 240 were designated as home-based personal care workers and 360 were employed specifically to care for children under 12.
“Formalisation is a human rights guarantee,” the DoL official added. “Contracts, inspections, and grievances mechanisms are critical because mistreatment in private homes can go unseen.”
For the civil servant, hiring a caregiver was transformative.
“My daily life found balance,” she said. “I am punctual and can concentrate, knowing my baby is safe.” The support improved her productivity and cemented her decision to remain in public service, she added.
A Phuentsholing businessman shared a similar benefit, having hired a 35-year-old worker to care for his infant and elderly parents. However, he said, “It is very challenging to find foreign domestic workers.”
Under current regulations, foreign domestic workers must only perform duties specified in their contracts. These include childcare, elder care, housekeeping, cooking, grocery shopping with household members, and gardening. Any work outside the household, including commercial activities, is strictly prohibited.
Workers are required to contribute to health insurance, provident funds, and taxes. While the minimum wage is Nu 3,750 per month, many employers pay around Nu 15,000, excluding food and accommodation. Employers must also provide separate sleeping quarters.
Live-in workers typically work six days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. In border towns, many commute daily, arriving around 9 am and leaving by 4 pm, usually earning about Nu 10,000 per month.
Workers’ duties are strictly defined to household care, with contracts prohibiting external commercial work. They must contribute to insurance and taxes. While the minimum wage is Nu 3,750, many earn around Nu 15,000 monthly, with employers providing separate quarters. Live-in helpers typically work 12-hour days, six days a week.
The DoL enforces the rules through home inspections, a helpline, and orientation sessions. “If an employer violates the agreement, we can penalise or blacklist them,” an official said.
To date, no exploitation cases have been formally reported. Contracts explicitly prohibit physical, verbal, or sexual abuse and guarantee that foreign domestic workers are treated with dignity and care.
However, challenges persist. Costs remain prohibitive for some, and language barriers are common. “Many workers cannot speak Dzongkha or English,” an employer said, adding that some resist specialised childcare duties, preferring household chores.
“In most cases, workers are recruited through personal contacts or recommendations,” the agency said. “Our role is largely limited to processing permits to comply with immigration requirements.”
There is no workers’ association, and recruitment is difficult. Agencies report that many workers are reluctant to come to Bhutan, often leaving within three to six months citing the cold climate.
Before commencing employment, both the employer and the foreign domestic worker are required to sign an agreement clearly stating that the worker is confined to household duties, including care for children, the elderly, the sick, and persons with disabilities.
Policymakers acknowledge the system’s imperfections.
“This is not a perfect system,” a DoL official said. “We conduct periodic assessments and remain open to improvements.”
Despite attempts, foreign domestic workers were unavailable for comment.
The policy’s context is highlighted by national data. Female labour force participation stands at 40.1 percent, and women hold 12,390 of Bhutan’s 30,025 civil service posts. The National Statistics Bureau’s third quarter report records a female employment rate of 95.8 percent, compared to 97.6 percent for men.
Bhutan’s experience suggests that formalising domestic labour can simultaneously support working mothers and protect migrant caregivers, framing care support as a social necessity rather than a personal failing.
As a non-member observer of the International Labour Organization, Bhutan aligns its rules with international standards like the Domestic Workers Convention.
Updated 2025 guidelines cap the workday at eight hours with an additional two hours paid overtime, mandate weekly rest, and require employers to cover transport, insurance, and medical care.