The statement from a leading telecom service provider comes at a time when 87 workers, reportedly laid off from Hello Nepal of NST, are demonstrating at Ncell head office in New Baneshwore demanding re-instatement.[break]
Issuing a statement on Saturday, Ncell said it has no plans to merge with or take over NST.
"Operational responsibility of NST lies with its own management and not with Ncell," the statement said.
Ncell, however, has acknowledged that TeliaSonera, the biggest stakeholder in Ncell, is in negotiations with NST shareholders to evaluate consolidation opportunities pursuant to which a capital investment could be made by TeliaSonera in NST.
However, Ncell´s statement has not disclosed latest developments in negotiations between TeliaSonera and NST but adds both parties are committed to respecting employee and other contractual obligations in compliance with prevailing Nepali laws in case current negotiations are successful.
Ncell has also expressed hope that current demonstrations are halted immediately, "as they are unfounded and disruptive and are impairing Ncell´s ability to provide uninterrupted and quality telecommunications services to Nepali customers".
Activists of All Nepal Communications, Printing and Publication Workers´ Union (ANCPPWU), affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, attacked the Ncell head office few days ago causing damage to Ncell building.
They had demanded that Ncell take responsibility of the 87 workers of NST, who were laid off.
The protesters also claimed that NST was taken over by TeliaSonera, which owns a majority stake in Ncell.
"Now it´s Ncell´s responsibility to reinstate our friends at Hello Nepal (NST)," a statement issued last week by ANCPPWU Coordinator Janma Dev Jaisi said.
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