Big trade unions warn of industrial strike

KATHMANDU, Aug 16: Three major trade unions that were against implementing the government-fixed remuneration package on Tuesday made a U-turn and threatened to launch nation-wide protest if the employers failed to implement the package.



They also want the employers to implement other provisions, including social security scheme, as per the agreement that they reached with the employer associations on March 24.[break]



Submitting a memorandum to Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce (FNCCI) on the day, All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) and Nepal Trade Union Congress-Independent (NTUCI) have warned of stringent protest if employers did not agree on their demands.



They have also asked the FNCCI to withdraw the case against the government-fixed pay package, which is sub judice at the Supreme Court, to pave the way for easy implementation of the government-fixed remuneration package. Issuing a notice in the Nepal Gazette on May 15, the government had fixed monthly salary of workers at Rs 6,200 and daily wage at Rs 231.



The fresh move of the three major trade unions comes at a time when 10 fringe trade unions have been pressing the employers to implement the government-fixed pay package.



“We have given 15-day ultimatum to the employers to implement the government-fixed pay package along with the social security package as per the March 24 agreement,” Umesh Upadhya, general secretary of GEFONT, told Republica. He claimed that as much as 40 percent of employers across the country have yet to implement the government-fixed pay package.



Dharmendra Kumar Singh, chairman of NTUCI, said that employers are refusing to hike remuneration in line with the notice published in Nepal Gazette, stating that the case is sub judice at the apex court. “Employers should withdraw the case at the earliest and address our demand as soon as possible,” Singh added.



FNCCI officials, however, said the case could be withdrawn only if the government endorses the March 24 pact. “Major trade unions have approached us with the demand for pay hike, which has already been fulfilled. It´s a clear case of misunderstanding,” said *Manish Agrawal, vice-chairman of Employers´ Council at FNCCI.



*Corrected

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