"Talks between workers and the management on Thursday resolved all contentious issues. The management is resuming services of the closed outlets after cleaning works at kitchen and other section are completed. Hopefully, the outlets will open from Sunday," Madhav Bhattarai, consultant lawyer for Devyani International Nepal -- local franchisee of KFC, Pizza Hut and Cream Bell -- told Republica.[break]
The understanding to resume business was reached built after the trade union at KFC, Pizza Hut and Cream Bell agreed not to obstruct the management from taking disciplinary actions against staff engaged in violating the set rules and discipline.
"Our goal is to protect the genuine interests of the workers and not the troublemakers. Hence, we reached a three-point deal committing not to obstruct genuine disciplinary actions," said Nava Raj Bhatta, the president of All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union-Revolutionary (ANHRWU-R), Devyani International unit.
Devyani International Nepal had indefinitely closed the outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut and Cream Bell on August 14 stating that some of its workers manhandled their senior managers and issued death threats.
Hence, the management committee of Devyani International during the negotiations had made it clear that it would reopen the outlets only after taking action against 22 staff who manhandled a senior manager of the company.
But on Thursday, the committee agreed to take actions against them only after carrying out a thorough investigation. "They will face disciplinary actions if found guilty," said Bhattarai.
In order to make sure no innocent workers get punishment, the management has agreed to clearly disclose the findings and take action after receiving ´no objection´ signatures from all the workers, said Bhatta.
As for the workers´ claim that the management shut down the outlets because it disapproved their plan to set up a trade union in the company, Bhatta said the management now (in Thursday´s deal) has agreed to respect the existing labor law and Trade Union Act, recognizing our rights to organize and pursue collective bargain.
Devyani International Nepal was employing 180 people when it shut down. It has restaurants at Durbar Marg and Tripureshwar.
Related story
Pizza Hut Nepal unveils global best seller ‘Pizza Hut Melts’, w...
