First workers’ association on the card

Phuentsholing, September 24: Rights of the workers were, indeed, worst in all forms in Bhutan for years without bargaining power. This situation tends to end finally as employees with Bhutan Telecom decides to form an association.

To be the first trade union, better called workers’ association in Bhutan’s context, it was the result of frustrated among the employees due to discriminatory behavior of the government and the management.

Employees can form one association in one office with at least 12 coming together as per the provision in Labout Act passed last year.

Many employees irked at the management after it decided to promote 11 ‘core group’ employees saying they are indispensable. They were promoted in an effort to stop them BTL to join TashiCell. Over 25 employees, claiming they represent 97 percent of the BTL workers, expressed tier irk through an open letter.

Employees say formation of association has been felt essential to address their grievances and to heighten their bargaining power with management.

However, the government has initiated mediation between the management and the disgruntled employees to avoid formation of association. Four have been called upon to attend an international conference in Bangkok. Bhutan News Service