CPN-M trade union calls two-day industrial shutdown

KATHMANDU, June 6: The All Nepal Trade Union Federation-Revolutionary (ANTUF-R) affiliated to the CPN-Maoist has announced to shut down all industrial enterprises across the country on Thursday and Friday.



The union decided to close industrial enterprises stating that its demand to increase minimum monthly remuneration to Rs 15,000 and daily wage to Rs 700 was ignored by both the government and employers. [break]



Saying that the recent hike in monthly remuneration and daily wage is insufficient for workers given the increasing living cost due to double-digit inflation, the union had issued five-day ultimatum to the government on Friday.



As per the recommendation of Minimum Remuneration Fixation Committee (MRFC), which has representations from the government , employer organizations and major trade unions, the government had raised minimum monthly remuneration of workers to Rs 8,000, including basic salary of Rs 5,100 and dearness allowance of Rs 2,900, up from Rs 6,200 on last Tuesday. The daily wage of workers was also raised to Rs 318 from Rs 231.

“Neither the government nor the employers responded to our demand. That is why we have announced closure of industries and business establishments across the country on Thursday and Friday,” Ram Deep Acharya, coordinator of ANTUF-R, told Republica on Thursday.

He said the government and the employers ignored the ANTUF-R´s demand even though the union was ready to show flexibility in negotiations. “Seems like they aren´t interested to hold talk with us,” Acharya added.



Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, joint secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE), who headed the MRFC, told Republica that the ministry had not received any formal demand from the ANTUF-R.



Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has urged the ANTUF-R to withdraw its protest program. Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the umbrella organization of Nepali private sector said protest against pay hike was not justifiable.

“The pay hike decision was made after forging consensus among government officials, employers and major trade unions even though the industrial sector is passing through difficult time due high bank interest rates, power shortage and labor unrest,” the FNCCI statement said. “If wage is hiked as per the demand of ANTUF-R, it will push many industries that are struggling to survive on the verge of closure.”



FNCCI has also asked the government to create an environment for industrial enterprises to run without any fear and disruption.

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