𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡

…𝑨 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 80% 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔

By Ngawang Jamphel

Truckers in Phuntsholing have recently expressed their discontent with the limited work opportunities at their disposal. The parking lots are filled with hundreds of idle trucks, symbolizing the struggles faced by truckers in the pandemic’s aftermath. A key factor contributing to the scarcity of work for Bhutanese truckers is the permission given to Indian drivers to operate Bhutanese-numbered trucks, primarily for transporting boulders to Bangladesh. This arrangement has directly impacted the livelihoods of approximately a hundred Bhutanese truckers, who now grapple with considerable challenges amidst the prevailing circumstances.

At the core of these issues are the truckers themselves, who are voicing their dissatisfaction over the limited avenues for work. Passang Dorji, an experienced trucker from Paro, echoes the sentiments of many in the community, lamenting the drastic decline in earning potential since the pandemic’s onset. For these individuals, who were once accustomed to a steady flow of work, the harsh reality of waiting periods stretching over two weeks to secure a single load is a significant blow to their livelihoods.

Another trucker revealed a startling statistic: over 80% of trucks with Bhutanese registration numbers are manned by Indian drivers. This dominance emphasizes the unequal treatment between Bhutanese and Indian drivers, with the former barred from operating Indian-registered trucks. The situation begs the question of fairness, particularly when considering the extensive knowledge Bhutanese drivers possess regarding the intricate routes leading to Bangladesh, a crucial destination for boulder exports.

Peeling back the layers of this issue reveals economic considerations at its core. Boulder export companies, grappling with their own challenges, cite cost considerations as the primary rationale for employing Indian drivers. With Indian drivers offering their services at lower fees, the economic advantage they present becomes irresistible to these companies. Yet, this preference for cost-efficiency comes at the expense of local truckers, further exacerbating their struggle for meaningful employment.

The challenges confronting Bhutanese truckers are not isolated incidents; rather, they are intricately connected with broader shifts in trade dynamics, further exacerbated by the pandemic. Disruptions to supply chains and fluctuations in demand have further compounded the woes of the transportation sector, leaving many truckers on the brink of financial ruin. The resilience of the industry is put to the test as it navigates through these tumultuous times, with the fate of countless livelihoods hanging in the balance.

In the face of adversity, the voices of Bhutanese truckers grow louder as they call for fair treatment and policy reform. There is a palpable sense of urgency within the community, demanding a reevaluation of regulations governing the transportation industry. Calls for inclusivity in employment practices and a level playing field for local drivers reverberate across Phuentsholing, signaling a collective resolve to address systemic inequalities and pave the way for a more equitable future.

The struggles of Bhutanese truckers in Phuentsholing serve as a stark reminder of the intricate web of challenges facing the transportation industry. Beyond the immediate economic hardships lie deeper issues of fairness, policy regulations, and the need for systemic change. As the community rallies together in solidarity, there is hope that their voices will be heard, and meaningful reforms will be enacted to ensure a brighter future for all those who depend on the wheels of commerce to turn.