December 25: The members of the National Council today deliberated on the need to revise the salary of the national work force.

Submitting the issue for discussion, the National Council member of Zhemgang, Pema Lhamo said the wages of the national work force should be increased to enable them to cope with the increasing cost of living. She pointed out that the salary of the national workforce has not been included in the Pay Commission’s proposal on pay revision.

Supporting the Zhemgang representative, the National Council member from Trashigang, Sonam Kinga said there has been no wage increase for the national workforce for the last eight years. He said the national workforce should be entitled to retirement benefits and job security should be provided.

The National Council member of Chhukha Tshewang Lhamo said everyone has the right to equal pay according to the Constitution of Bhutan.

The house also saw discussions on the need to increase the minimum national wage rate. Members said the current minimum wage rate of Nu 100 a day is not rational considering the rising cost of living.

They said the value of labour has increased with labour becoming scarce in the villages. They added that for most of the villagers, wages earned from contributing labor for developmental work is a major source of cash income.

The house stood united on the issue of pay hike for the national workforce and on the need to increase the national minimum wage rate. The house decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources.

Remuneration for chipons

The National Council members also decided that the government should appoint a caretaker each for all the geog centres in the country. The house also decided that a nominal remuneration should be paid to the chipons or the village messengers by the government.

The National Council member from Pemagatshel Jigmi Rinzin said most of the geog centres are located away from the villages. After office hours and during holidays, Jigmi Rinzin said there is no one to look after the geog centre. He said since the Geog offices house important documents and cash collected from the people, there are risks of burglary.

The National Council members of Dagana, Wangdue, Zhemgang, Sarpang and Paro stood up one after another to support the need for a caretaker in the geog centres.

The Chairperson of the National Council Namgay Penjore said there will be financial implications on the government, but it is important to know the responsibilities of the caretakers. The house decided that a caretaker will be appointed by the government for each geog centre.

On the issue of nominal remuneration for the chipons, the National Council member from Lhuntse, Rinzin said unlike gups and mangmis, the chipons do not receive any remuneration from the government. The Chipons, he said have important responsibilities of calling people for meetings and disseminating important messages to the people.

Considering the difficulty and the responsibilities of the Chipons, Rinzin said they should be provided remuneration.

Most members supported the view and decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Royal Civil Service Commission.