A flurry of construction activities, involving thousands of workers from other dzongkhags, is taking place in Laya Gewog under Gasa dzongkhag.
Tashi Wangdi is a carpenter. He came to work in Laya from Pema Gatshel. He said, despite the cold weather, he came to work in Laya as the daily wage provided by the Layaps is better than in other dzongkhags. Tashi said they are paid Nu. 550 a day
“I am getting used to the life here.” He said he is able to make a minimum of Nu.20,000 in a month.
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The locals here work for a day or two and discontinue. But those coming from other dzongkhags put their heart and soul into their work.”
Resident,
Laya
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Tashi Wangdi said he had to leave behind his family in Pema Gatshel, so to be able to provide decent living for his family members.
The Layaps, on the other hand, said they could afford to pay a little more wages compared to other dzongkhags after they started prospering with the legalisation of Cordycep collection. Cordycep has gone on to become their main source of income ever since its legalisation in 2004.
The high price, the collection fetches, has made it possible for the Layaps to build bigger, better and more houses. But since, the skilled workers are hard to come by; they have to get them from other dzongkhags.
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According to an elderly man in Laya, the other factor contributing to the construction boom is the increasing number of family members. Over the years, he said, the additional members of the families in their community have increased, giving rise to the need to construct more houses to accommodate them.
Laya Gewog has a population of about 1,200 with about 200 households. Laya is three days walk from Gasa Dzongkhag.
