Workers employed by the HPL, the operator of Khimti I hydropower project, had launched protest on Dec 16, stopping all works in the power company, except electricity generation, after they found their jobs taken away by a team recruited by G4S, an outsourcing company.[break]
These workers, who are on protest, however, are not regular employees of the HPL, but were recruited in the power company by an outsourcing firm called Khimti Services Private Limited.
Khimti Services was established in 2001 by transferring 89 HPL employees, who were working as drivers, cooks, gardeners, security guards and janitors.
After 11 years of acquiring service, the HPL on Dec 15 terminated its contract with Khimti Services, citing "lack of transparency in structure, policies and procedures, and audited financials", which rendered all 89 workers jobless.
Despite this, the HPL management has said it is willing to let the agitated employees work for the company if they first join G4S.
"If they agree to join G4S, they will be given a 10 percent raise in the salaries and dearness allowance of Rs 1,100 per month," a statement issued by the HPL on Thursday said.
However, protesting workers have said they won´t take their hunger strike back unless the HPL revokes its agreement with G4S and reinstates them in their previous positions.
“We won´t back down until all our demands are met, including termination of agreement with G4S as pledged during the meeting held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM),” said Arjun Chaulagain, president of Khimti Hydroelectric Nepal Free Chemical and Iron Workers´ Union.
The MoLTM, in the meantime, has called the HPL management for a meeting on Friday to discuss the matter.
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