Trade unions unite on issues, celebrate separately

KATHMANDU, MAY 02:

Nepali trade unions have united on several issues but celebrated the International Labour Day separately by organising various programmes across the country.

The Nepal Trade Union Congress-Independent (NTUC-I), All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), and General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) organised separate programmes in Kathmandu, inviting leaders from their respective political parties.

Trade unions have united on major issues under the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) but we have not reached a position where we can celebrate together, said president of GEFONT Bishnu Rimal. “We have two common agendas — the government must set minimum wage and salary hike must be based on price hike,” Rimal said.

Nepali trade unions have been focused on workers’ welfare as well as industrial development in the country. Till date, ANTUF has been demanding a monthly minimum wage of Rs 12,500, while other trade unions have not disclosed the amount that they are bargaining for.

We are not only focusing on workers’ rights but are also trying to better the industrial environment, said Rimal.

However, we have not reached a concrete modality for it, he said. According to him, JTUCC has accepted that the existence of workers depends on industrialisation and future policies and programmes will head in that direction.

NTUC-I vice-president Ramji Kunwar believes that Nepali workers should be disciplined and productive for industrial growth. There is a need to increase the capacity of workers. The government, employers and trade unions have to collaborate for it, he said, adding that trade unions should help build a better environment for it. Our trade union is positive about it, he added.

Nepal has been identified as a bad investment destination due to low productivity and frequent labour disputes. Industrial contribution to the gross domestic product is just 7-8 per cent — the lowest in South Asia last year. Nepal is also mired in labour disputes propelled by political instability for years.

Trade unions want workers’ rights to go hand-in-hand with industrial development, so there will not be irrational disturbances in industries, promised president of ANTUF Shalikram Jammakattel. The government and employers must bring a plan to empower workers and trade unions are ready to support it, he said. “Let us work together for prosperity,” he added.

Meanwhile, the employers — Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), and Confederation of Nepalese Industries have urged trade unions to be constructive for development. Human resources are prerequisite for industrial revolution but it must be constructive, said chairperson of Employers’ Council of FNCCI Pashupati Murarka. Trade unions must play an active strong in reducing labour disputes, he said.

Source: THT