With the closure of border gates in March due to the COVID-19 situation, the towns in the country along the border areas saw a shortage of daily wagers. In Gelegphu, the daily wagers from the bordering towns of Indian states come into the country in the past taking up the waste management works. However, the need for workers spiked after the entry of foreign workers was restricted, and Bhutanese showing little interest in such works.
After the repeated announcement for the vacancy of waste management workers, Gelegphu Thromde was able to employ 18 Bhutanese to shoulder the responsibilities of waste management and keeping the thromde clean.
Gelegphu Thrompon Tikaram Kahfley said the thromde has even increased the daily wage to Nu 324 from Nu 215 to attract and retain the Bhutanese workers. “We encourage people, called them, provided awareness and supported them with small things like hand gloves, shoes and uniform,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Bhutanese workers refused to talk to BBS on record. However, off-camera, they say taking up a dirty job is no issue but they are concerned with the meagre salary where the earnings from their work are not enough to meet the monthly expenses of their family.
Karma Wangdi
