In a revolutionary move, Education and Health have been given a top spot by the Bhutan Cabinet in a recent pay revision meeting. In a move that is set to earn praise across the world, Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen (Dr) Lotay Tshering made the profession of teachers, doctors, nurses and medical staff as the highest paid civil servants in the country. According to a report by the Bhutanese, PM Tshering had initially promised a ‘Wow factor’ through the Performance Based Incentive (PBI), however, a much bigger ‘wow factor’ was announced during the final pay revision that was presented by the cabinet on June 5. The report further states that with this move, the Bhutan cabinet has not only ensured that the professionals are paid well, but have also overturned the unofficial civil service ‘hierarchy’.

 

As per the new salary hike, teachers with zero to 10 years of experience have been given a 35 per cent professional allowance, whereas a teacher with 10 to 20 years of experience has been given a 45 per cent allowance and 55 per cent has been given to teachers with experience above 20 years. In addition, as per a Bhutan Professional Standards, 10 per cent allowance is given to a proficient teacher, 15 per cent for an accomplished teacher and 20 per cent for a distinguished teacher, the report said.

 

As far as medical staff are concerned, “MBBS doctors get a 45 per cent professional allowance while specialists get between 55 to 60 per cent. Nurses and clinical staff start at 35 per cent for 10 years and go to 45 per cent for above 10 to 20 years and then hit 55 per cent for above 20 years.”

 

As per the new salary structure “a grade P 5 proficient teacher (serving for under 10 years) and P 5 doctor getting 29,935 will now be earning slightly more than a P 3 civil servant getting Nu 28,315,” the report said. In addition to this, ” a P 2 grade teacher (under 10 years) or P 2 doctor getting Nu 46,835 is earning slightly more than an Ex-3 grade Director getting 44,120 in the civil service.” It added, “an Es-2 doctor with Nu 75,682 would make more than a government secretary getting Nu 73,845 basic pay while an Es-1 doctor with Nu 90,219 would be paid higher than the Cabinet Secretary at Nu 82,685 making it the highest paid civil servant position in Bhutan.”