The three unions -- Nepal National Employees Federation, National Independent Employees Friendship Center and Government Office Drivers Association -- launched the joint protest demanding a flat increment of Rs 5,000 on monthly salaries for all civil servants.
The government in the budget speech on Monday had announced increment in the pay of civil servants in the form of dearness allowance. This meant the government was willing to hike the salaries of government employees by 10-12 percent.
However, the agitated trade unions have flouted the government´s proposal citing salary increment on the basis of percentage will be unfavorable for staff in the lower ranks.
Krishna Bhandari, president of National Independent Employees Friendship Center, told myrepublica.com that both peon and a high-ranking government official are reeling under the pressure of price hikes. "It is affecting the both in the same manner," said the chief of the employees union, which has a membership base of around 32,000.
"But salary increment on the basis of percentage will leave the high ranking official with more money, whereas a peon will still have to struggle to make the ends meet with whatever little amount he has. This is not justifiable."
He demanded that the government increase the salary of all the employees on flat rate basis, regardless of hierarchy, or "face action."
"We are ready for dialogue but if the government tries to neglect our demands we will be forced to intensify our protests," he said.
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