Workers closed to Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) had physically assaulted industrialist Shailendra Lal Pradhan, the owner of Shree Textile, on Friday, after the latter did not allow his workers to join an awareness program organized jointly by different trade unions.
ANTUF, UML-affiliated General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) and NC-affiliated Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) have been staging protest at industries across the country, demanding hefty rise in remuneration.
“Manhandling of Pradhan is an attack on all industrialists. We shut the industries to exert pressure on the government to bring the culprits to book,” said Manish Agrawal, member of Employers´ Council of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). He also criticized the government for not handling the issue seriously.
“Incidents like these inside industrial estates are unacceptable. We will be compelled to shut down industries across the country if the government failed to punish the culprits within a week," he added.
Agrawal, however, informed that industries inside Patan Industries Estate will resume operation from Monday.
Related story
Cement, steel industries in trouble as demand stagnates
