The Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority is downsizing its manpower. It says this is being done since most of the project works are now complete. More than 300 contract employees from a total of over 800 are expected to be laid off. However, disgruntled employees are alleging corruption and unfairness in the company’s selection process.
According to the project management, almost 88 per cent of the overall construction works have now been completed. They say around 70 per cent of the dam works have been finished so far. The construction of the Headrace Tunnel, which is the tunnel that carries the water to the turbine, was completed in 2015. Likewise, more than 99 per cent of the powerhouse construction works are also done. Around 98 per cent of Electro-Mechanical Works are also complete.
The company says with most works completed, there is now excess manpower in the project. It says there is also a need to bring down expenses and align them with the revised cost estimate. All this they say has made rationalization or scaling down of staff crucial.
However, some of the employees are alleging that the selection of redundant employees has been done unfairly. The employees fearing backlash from the company requested anonymity. They say the company has made a draft list but that it was prepared unfairly. They claim that the list also contains employees who are genuinely needed while those who are not but are in favour of the supervisors have not been chosen.
They added the company has said that unwanted staff will be let go immediately and are requesting a few months’ time to make other arrangements.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the company who did not want to be named denied these allegations. He said an external committee consisting of members from different agencies reviewed the manpower requirement in December of last year.
According to a company’s circular BBS got hold of, employees with records of disciplinary issues will be the first ones to be chosen for rationalization. Employees will then be selected based on the performance ratings for the last three years. In case of a tie, employees who joined the company later will be selected first. And in case of further ties, younger employees will be chosen for retrenchment.
According to a source, the final list of employees that are being let go will be released today.
According to the PHPA-I website, the company has a total staff of 806 of which 748 are Bhutanese and the rest are Indians.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
