1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

tourists and other non-governmental purposes may be paid according to those
prevailing in the particular area or in the market.
The Hon’ble Minister outlined the various benefits accrued as a result of
increases in daily wage, allowances for artisans and craftsmen of Zorig Chusum
and charges for pack and riding ponies. He informed that as submitted by many
members of the National Assembly, the increases in wages and allowances
commanded by His Majesty the King is one of the most generous Kidu given to
people who depend for livelihood on physical labour. It is also expected that
this will benefit many other national projects and activities.
Among these benefits, first, it is expected to curb the increasing number of
people migrating to urban areas in search for employment. It is estimated that
approximately 50,000 school dropouts will be looking for employment in the
next five years. Earlier, the Bhutanese people were hesitant in joining the
national workforce. The increases in wages and allowances have encouraged not
only the Bhutanese people but even students to work as national workforce
during their winter holidays. For example, labourers required earlier for the
Punakha Dzong renovation project were recruited through corvee labour.
However, there is competition today for recruiting the five hundred labourers
required for the project.
Second, it is important that native artisans and craftsmen build as many
residential houses as possible by maintaining traditional architectural standard
using indigenous resources in order to preserve and promote the country’s
distinct cultural heritages. There are a total of 29 large Dzong, 2,002 Lhakhang
and Goendey, and 13,000 Choeten. They can be maintained and renovated only
by Bhutanese people who are skilled in Zorig Chusum. The increase in wage
and provision of allowances for artisans and craftsmen have particularly
benefited the promotion of Zorig Chusum.
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