Students in Bhutan are compensating shortage in the labour market which is largely induced by the restrictions imposed in light of the pandemic in the country’s orange depots, reported Kuensel. 

Around 70 students are currently working in orange depots in the south-eastern district of Sandrup Jonkhar in Bhutan. Earlier Indian labourers were involved in the job of segregation and packing of mandarin oranges in depots in the district. 

An exporter said they employed students on a part-time basis as the Indian workers aren’t available because of the restrictions imposed by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.  

The exporter, as quoted by Kuensel, said it is illegal to employ an underage student but despite raising the issue several times with the local labour office they have failed to provide any alternatives as of now. 

The packing speed of students is very low in comparison to Indian labourers but it will improve in time as they are working very hard, said another exporter. 

On the other hand, students seem quite happy with part-time earnings. On average, they manage to get NU 12000 in a month along with free food. Many of them took the job for the first time.