Community for Skilled Workers (C4SW), an initiative to professionalise and empower local skilled people, has so far engaged more than 1,100 plumbers and electricians in nearly 300 projects worth over Nu 65 M across the country. To further boost their capacity and create more employment opportunities, the Department of Labour handed over a range of modern equipment to the community today.
Until now, workers have been spending considerable time and effort building temporary scaffolding to carry out work at height.
Scaffolding is a temporary platform that allows construction workers to work safely at elevated sites. However, building scaffolding is time-consuming and, at times, unsafe, making it difficult for workers to complete projects on time.
That is expected to change with the commissioning of a hydraulic lift and other modern equipment.
“Because of the hydraulic lift, we will no longer have to build scaffolding. We usually make scaffolding from bamboo, and sourcing the bamboo alone takes more than three days. But with this lift, we can simply transport it to the project site and start working. It will benefit us greatly. C4SW can also rent out the machine and generate additional income,” said Yulkham Geley, the Chairman for C4SW.
The support is expected to improve productivity, strengthen local livelihoods, and create more sustainable employment opportunities for skilled workers.
“C4SW members often work together on projects. However, as the number of project sites increased, the lack of equipment became a major challenge. Without the necessary infrastructure, workers were unable to complete jobs as expected by clients. The new equipment will help them carry out their work more efficiently,” said Ugyen Dorji, Chief Labour Officer with the Department of Labour.
The government contributed around Nu 1.5 M towards the purchase of the equipment under a cost-sharing arrangement with the Community for Skilled Workers.
Under the scheme, the government covered 40 per cent of the cost, while the Community for Skilled Workers contributed the remaining 60 per cent.
The Industry, Commerce, and Employment Minister, Namgyal Dorji, during the handing over event, has assured the government’s support to advance C4SW and empower local skilled people.
The government initiated C4SW last year to address shortages of local skilled people, reduce reliance on foreign workers, and formalise the domestic service sector.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Phub Gyem
