The workers decided to protest after the management asked them to take a compulsory leave of 15 days in a bid to reduce the operation cost.
"You are aware of the fact that the factory is facing acute shortage of raw materials for the last few days. So we request you to stay in leave for 15 days," a facsimile notice issued by the management stated.
Upendra Ray, a workers´ leader, said the management had some hidden intentions behind requesting the workers to take compulsory leave. More than 90 workers have started a sit-in at the factory premises from Sunday.
Representatives of trade unions organized a meeting in Biratnagar to discuss about the protest.
“We will announce the protest programs to safeguard the rights of workers after collecting suggestions from the participants of the meeting. We will press the management to reopen the factory and uphold the interests of workers,” Ray, who is also the coordinator of Nepal Trade Union Federation, Morang, said.
Ray said they couldn´t sit for talks on Sunday as top managerial staffs of the factory are currently in the capital. The factory produces 300 gross boxes of matches per day. The management and workers had agreed on daily wage of Rs 150 from July 15. However, the management has not paid salary to the workers for the last two months. The workers have blamed the management of deliberately stopping the import of raw materials to close the factory.
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