Even before the 600MW Kholongchhu Hydropower Project could begin, it already drew a host of concerns from the local leaders during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. They raised concerns over the labour recruitment process and employment opportunities.
Labour recruitment process
Local leaders raised their concerns over the labour recruitment agency used by Kholongchhu Hydropower Project to recruit some of its current employees. An Indian Power Company, who is doing the ground works for the hydropower project, recruited some supporting staff through a labour agent. Local leaders said there is no need for labour recruitment agents to employ Bhutanese people for the project.
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Moreover, the local leaders said the labor agent is deducting 10 percent of the employee’s salary every month. This, they said, is not fair to those supporting staff employed by the agent.
Employment opportunities for youth
For future employment in the Kholongchhu Hydropower project, local leader said the project should give preference to school dropout youth from within the dzongkhag.
According to the assistant engineer, the project will give employment preference to those people affected by the project. But employment preference for everyone from the dzongkhag is not practical.
“If it is the affected household, then job opportunities could be offered to them but if anybody who claims that they are from Trashi Yangtse, then, it is not fair to entertain everybody else,” he added, any capable or qualified person from any dzongkhag would be preferred.
The employment opportunities for the 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydropower Project will be announced once the registration of the company and formation of the board is finalised.
