The hotel located at Chuathe in the popular lake town has more than 40 employees. Talking to this daily, Naresh Shankar Palikhe, the promoter, said, “We have decided to close the hotel until further notice -- after consulting with the employees.” [break]
On the other hand, the employees have complained that they were not paid the minimum wage. “We ask for Rs 8,000 as minimum wage in addition to other prevailing allowances,” said Hari Thapa, coordinator of the agitating employees. “The employees are receiving meager Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,200 currently.”
The government reviewed the minimum wage to Rs 8,000 per month by increasing it by Rs 1,800, and daily wage to Rs 318, up from Rs 231 in June.
Palikhe, however, said that the employees have continued the protest even after they decided to close the hotel.
“We have been hiking the salary every year for the last three years even though we are operating at a minimum income,” added Palikhe.
However, the agitating employees said as they were told to stop the protest to hold talks, but the management disrespected them by deciding to shut down the hotel unilaterally.
Thapa said, “We are not ready to return to work until our demands are met.” In a letter given to the employees, the management has informed that the hotel was shut down completely.
The tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have said it is an unfortunate development at the onset of the peak season.
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