My Thoughts on DRC Staff Welfare Contribution System

For the last few months, I was looking for someone who could update me on the status of my welfare loan. By the way I availed a staff welfare loan of Nu.15000 in 2010 (Nov) from our Department's welfare fund. I don't know to how many people I may have asked but I never got a satisfactory answer. In a mean time, I was continuing to see a long list of deductions being made from my salary every month. 

Finally, I was able to garner some response when I brought this topic on the Facebook. Interestingly some of my colleagues received it with humor. They think my Economics knowledge has intensified my greed for money. I think they are not fully right, because these days, economics not only about maximization but it is lot about optimization now. 

On the Facebook, I came to know that, I have still one more installment to make to fully liquidate my loan. Further, I also got a response from a very senior colleague. She did not say I was complaining. But she thinks I am doing one. No hard feeling and nothing personal. I am absolutely fine. But on a serious note, I write a feedback and I get warned. I look for clarification and people think I am complaining. Its hard to believe. I think we indeed live in complicated world where people judge us before they even know us and understand our intentions.

She also told me about the trust she have for the fund managers. But its not the integrity of the fund managers I was questioning about. I just needed an update on my outstanding loan. I said I am critical about the contribution system because, in my 7 years of contribution, I have not even seen a single audited statement or reports. Call it a miscommunication or negligence!! That is why  for such things, I believe only things I see!

I wrote this reply to her.

Madam, With due respect I thank you for your information. Firstly I am just seeking clarification here. I am not complaining. I am sorry if i sound little rude. I think I have that right. Do I or not??? And any one who contribute has the same right. At least I think that way....I did not say it didn't benefit anywhere. I was just asking friends to enlighten me more...because I have honestly not much idea about what is happening with contributions....Yea I took a loan and it was so helpful.....and i was paying it back also .... i just wanted to know how much more i have to pay. because deductions has been going on for more than 24 months! For a petty loan, 24 deduction is psychologically bit taxing mena la madam...what do u think??? 

Secondly I have never seen any audited reports or statements so far.....I did not even know who the secretary and treasurer were to this end. Could be because we have some miscommunication in between. Its understandable because ours is a big department. So I was looking for someone to bridge this gap. If u remember what has happened in other ministries with the Welfare contribution, few years ago, I think I have reasonable reason to believe that same thing might also happen with ours too...(But I am not trying to accuse anyone here). More over, if you read between the lines, I never questioned the "Contribution Account ". I have just asked for clarification on "Contribution System" (Italics, added later)

And finally, If I have to make a suggestion then I think its better we discontinue this contribution for once and for all. Refund all the contributions made so far based on existing rules, if there is any (Italics, added later)........but we can always have a better welfare contribution system in our respective regional offices, Small, compact and efficient. Easy to manage. I  think Paro RRCO has the best staff welfare contribution system....May be all regional office can learn from Paro in this regard..... Anyways I think we need more such discourses here.

Have a nice day madam and yea my regards to all our colleagues in DRC.

I will write more about this welfare fund system, after I get more information from the fund managers.  People believe it has so many advantages and I think I must know too. I want to feel that the deduction from my hard earned salary is justified.