BIRGUNJ: Minister for Industry Asta Laxmi Shakya has urged all the protesting labourers here to return to work. The workers are on strike since Thursday demanding increase in pay and benefits.
Minister Shakya, who reached Simara on Sunday for inspection visit of the Bara industrial corridor asked the workers to understand the difficulty the economy is facing and return to work. She said the factories should provide the workers minimum salary fixed by the government.
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“The government is much worried due to conflict between the workers and the factory proprietors,” she said, adding, “The government is suffering huge losses due to the industrial action.”
Over two dozen industries here remain shut due to the strike. However, 13 factories including Hulas Steel have come into operation following negotiation with the workers. Surya Nepal, a multinational, still remains closed.
Dinesh Rai, president of All Nepal Free Workers’ Union, said negotiations with many factory proprietors is under way. “I think other factories too will come into operation soon,” he said.
