The pay hike was a conscious move by the government to make teachers the highest paid civilians. Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri) The pay hike was a conscious move by the government to make teachers the highest paid civilians. Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri)

In a move earning it praise, Bhutan has announced that salaries of teachers, doctors, nurses, and all medical staff will be hiked to make them the highest paid civil servants in the country, The Bhutanese reported. The cabinet decision was taken on June 5.

Terming the announcement a “huge strategical move”, the news portal stated that the announcement has overturned the present hierarchy in which unofficial civil service administrators enjoyed various perks including training and trips.

Explaining the improved pay scale, the report states: “The numbers of teachers involved in the hike are huge as there are 8,679 teachers, followed by the medical staff who number around 4,000”.

A press release issued by the Bhutanese Prime Minister’s Office stated: “If the pay revision comes through as proposed by the government, teaching becomes the highest paid profession in the country.”

The reason for the pay revision, The Bhutanese reports, could be higher stress levels and longer working hours in both medical as well as teaching professions.

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