The movement of people into Samtse has been restricted, following the recent unrest in Chamurchi, an Indian border town near Samtse. This has led to an adverse impact on the orange exporters. They have not been able to bring in workers for their businesses.
At this time of year, the FCB auction yard in Samtse should have been abuzz with noisy exporters squabbling for bids. However, the exporters have all come to Phuentshogling following the movement restriction.
Guzi Drukpa is one of the orange exporters from Samtse. Prior to the export season, he had arranged laborers from Bihar, India, to work for him.
However, just a day before he could bring them to Samtse, the strike has begun.
“We have made the permits for labourers. But, because of the problem, I had to keep them in Banarhat for about 20 days.” Guzi Drukpa said he incurred a loss of Nu.1,500 everyday buying their meals and paying for their accommodation.
He said they had to come to Phuentshogling as they were worried the restriction would prolong.
Other exporters like Dadiram Adhikari said they haven’t been able to export fresh oranges this time. By the time oranges arrive from Dorokha to Phuentshogling, the export is already delayed by a day.
“The other thing is we have to incur extra expenses for transportation.” He said they are losing up to Nu.15,000-20,000.
Guzi Drukpa said, excluding food and accommodation, they have to pay Nu. 2,500, per trip, to hire a bolero from Samtse to Phuentshogling.
They have tried recruiting Bhutanese locals but since packing has to be done at night mostly, people were not willing to take up the job. Moreover, the exporters say, they lack experience in packing.
Exporters in Samtse have already constructed depots and if the situation improves, they are ready to take up business from there.
