The daily wage for the National Workforce was last revised more than six years ago. With the cost of living skyrocketing in recent years, the workforce is shrinking as more workers leave for greener pastures. The regional DoR office in Tingtibi of Zhemgang is struggling to retain its workforce.
The National Workforce, established in the 1960s, is mostly employed by government agencies like the Department of Roads and the home ministry for construction, maintenance of roads and renovation of dzongs.
The DoR office in Zhemgang has been losing its workforce for quite some time now. What remains of the workforce is also planning to leave the department as their daily wage is not enough to run their homes. They are only paid Nu 215 a day. Moreover, they are not entitled to retirement benefits.
“It is not even enough to buy vegetables like potatoes because a kilo of potatoes costs Nu 50. We only get a little more than Nu 6,000 in a month,” said Ram Bdr Chuwan, a daily wager in Zhemgang.
“Our daily wage is not enough. We struggle to make ends meet every month. If the government address our grievances, it would be a great help to us,” said another.
“It is difficult to survive because the price of goods keeps increasing these days. Moreover, our work is quite risky but our wage is still the same,” added another worker.
According to Road officials of the Tingtibi Regional Office, the office is struggling to carry out daily road maintenance work and recruit new workers when the wage in other sectors is competitive. The office requires close to 165 workers to maintain the over 200 kilometres of road in Zhemgang. However, it has only 145 workers today.
During the last parliament session, the Finance Minister said there is a possibility of increasing the wage rate for the National Workforce. Lyonpo said a person requires a minimum of Nu 280 per day to meet the cost of basic necessities. However, this is yet to materialise for the workers.
Meanwhile, the workers fear that in a few years’ time, only the elderly and women will be left in the workforce if the wage remains the same.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam
