KATHMANDU, May 1: The International Workers’ Day, is being marked across the country today. The Day is being marked since 1890 in recognition to the 1986’s workers’ movement that demanded respect to work in the US.
All across the world, the Day is marked organizing various programs that put pressure to the government and employers that workers’ rights including proper wage as per the change be respected so that they can live a dignified life. In Nepal, the International Workers’ Day is marked relating to the workers’ movement in Biratnagar in 2007 BS.
With the advent of restoration of democracy in 2046, this day is given emphasis, allowing public holiday. The umbrella organization of active trade unions in Nepal- Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) is bringing all workers together to mark the Day.
In Pictures: International Labor Day being observed today
Rallies would be emanated from various places of the capital city and reach the Bhrikutimandap for a program. The program is being addressed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chairman of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Vice-President of the Nepali Congress, Bimalendra Nidhi, Chairman of Federal Socialist Forum, Upendra Yadav, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Gokarna Bista, according to JTUCC Chairman Binod Shrestha. Shrestha shared that the workers would launch the pressure campaign to make the industrialists to ensure social security and minimum wage in line with contribution based security scheme.
Government scheme to address workers’ demand The government had announced the contribution based social security to the workers some months back. As per the scheme, a worker’s minimum wage is fixed 13,450 per month. The workers are entitled to assistance under the categories of medical checkup, maternity safety, accident, security to dependent family members and the old age people. In order to ensure a worker’s right to minimum remuneration, the employers are obliged to pay them through a bank account. The social security scheme was launched in order to implement fundamental rights.
“Govt to provide enough job opportunities,” pledges PM
Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the commitment of the incumbent government for providing enough job opportunities in the country. In a message issued on the occasion of 130th International Labour Day, PM Oli said the Prime Minister Employment Program was already in the implementation phase according to which the identification and listing of unemployed Nepali citizens was ongoing in all local units by establishing the Employment Service Centre.
Stating that under the program, a jobless Nepali citizen would be provided subsistence allowance as well as employment for at least 100 days in a fiscal year, PM Oli shared that 39 per cent of pay hike had been ensured in the basic wage for the labourers in line with the Labour Act, 2074. Guidelines and procedure for Social Security based on contribution are ready.
“The government has already put in place programs for social security based on contribution to be fully implemented from the new fiscal year,” the PM said in the message. Reaffirming that the government was aggressively moving ahead with solid plan and programs to increase productivity, PM Oli claimed, “The government is committed to regulation and streamlining the labour relations. The government is also committed to creating a favourable environment for work and providing enough job opportunities to improve one’s living standards.”
Furthermore, the PM has wished for peace, prosperity to all the working class Nepali sisters and brothers in and outside of the country on this day and has expressed high regard for the contributions made by the labourers for political and social transformation. “The labourers have been playing a historical role in every trying time in Nepal for political and social transformation,” commended PM Oli. RSS
