Labour shortage has been a challenge for the construction sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in Zhemgang, Bhutanese youth are seen taking up the welding works. Although the job is tiring work, they said they can earn their living through the profession. Earlier, the foreign labourers have been doing the welding works in Zhemgang.
Four graduates of Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute in Jigmeling in Sarpang are seen engaged in welding steel roof truss at a construction site. They have been working at the site for around a year now.
“In the institute, we were trained how to weld joints. We are sent here by the institute under the Build Bhutan Project,” said Ugyen Dorji, a welder.
“We have to do all kind of works out here besides welding and without safety gears like face shield, we are facing problems,” said another welder, Tashi Wangdi.
Since welding work is a labour intensive career, these youth said that there is more demand for welders in the job market.
The contractor of a building construction said given the shortage of skilled welders during the pandemic, these youth have solved the problem. He added that now Bhutanese are doing welding works.
The youth earns Nu 12,000 monthly whereby the construction company pays them Nu 6,000 and the other half from the Build Bhutan Project.
With more construction works taking place in Zhemgang, four of them will have better opportunities in the future.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
