Zabto Lemi
Even after constitutionally guaranteeing that a person gets paid for his work, metal or physical. However, the government attitude has changed little over several decades. The traditional system of citizens contributing free labour for nation’s development, zabto lemi and gongda woola, is in place.
It was there. It is here. The tradition would need a time to change and the factor for change is the political and bureaucratic mindset, who still expect citizens to work free of payment.
Till late 80s, the forced, rather termed volunteer labour contribution in Bhutanese context, Zabto Lemi was compulsory for all adult citizens in south, absence for which would be fined. Northerners and easterners would say nothing of the system as it had not affected but benefitted them. It wasn’t a law for them. The proposition of the ruling class with support from other ethnic groups in east and north had to be accepted as solemn oath by Nepali-speaking population as their pure responsibility to contribute for nation’s development. Their loyalty towards call by Jigme Palden for free labour contribution continued even after his murder in a conspiracy in 1964.
The infrastructure development in Bhutan carried out in 60s through 80s was possible by free labour that Nepali-speaking people agreed for. Monsoon is obviously a busy season for farmer in south but they prioritised nation’s development over farming.
The system almost retarded after eviction spree and development activities in the country fundamentally come to standstill. It was only in mid-90s that rulers realised the Lhotsam’s labour contribution yet not ready to accept in public. The cabinet formally ended it early this decade and the national assembly repealed the act last year.
It’s an irony that none of the national assembly members have raised this issue rather resistance from the public level is increasing. For an instance late last year, people in Bumthang boycotted a call by the district administration to help for construction of a tourist trekking route.
Despite that, government today expects that villagers get together for free labour contribution if the project is beneficial for them. The national assembly members, who demand increase in their salary every year, remain tight-lipped on whether villagers must be paid for their work.
A responsible government and a responsible parliament have obligation to investigate into misconduct of the past. It was the same political leadership who misused the state power to forced people for free labour. For the human rights committee of the parliament, the issue should have been important and the perpetrators must be brought into book. All those who worked free for all these years should have been compensated.