Representatives of the management and workers´ union signed an agreement to reopen the hotel in the presence of officials of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers´ Union (ANHRWU).[break]
Workers had halted normal operations at the Thamel-based hotel 20 days ago, demanding among others hike in salary. Due to the protest, the management had to shift guests to other hotels on Dec 5 and stop accepting booking for the month of December - one of the best months for hotel business. The workers had demanded hike in salary along with festival and night service allowances.
The management agreed to sit for talks after three leaders of the agitating workers tendered their resignation. It had set resignation of the three leaders as a precondition for the talks.
“We resumed operation from Sunday evening. We´ve agreed to increase salary of workers by Rs 100 per month and give bonus as demanded by them,” Vishal Kumar, executive director of the hotel, told Republica.
Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of HAN - the apex body of Nepali hotels, said the workers have agreed to maintain discipline, obey the duty manager and be punctual at work. “I am hopeful that the agreement will ensure smooth operation of the hotel in the days to come,” Shrestha added.
HAN was mediating the talks ever since the hotel ceased normal operations on Dec 5. But the talks had deteriorated after the management sought resignation of the three workers. The management had announced indefinite closure of the hotel last week, after efforts for resolving the issue through talks failed.
Meanwhile, a faction of ANHRWU has expressed dissatisfaction over the agreement to resume the hotel´s operations.
“Our leaders have been sacked. We can´t accept this agreement,” Hom Subedi, central member of ANHRWU, said adding that majority of workers were not happy with the agreement.
Related story
Kathmandu Marriott Hotel bags ‘Best Luxury Hotel Nepal’ award
