He said his appeal was directed not only to the central bank staffs but also of other public sector banks, which have as much as four trade unions. “This streamlining is necessary to let the management work freely and focus more on innovation and means for the better performance of the institutions as a whole,” he said. [break]
At present, the central bank, state-owned banks and private sector manufacturing firms have four trade unions and they are formed largely based on the political ideology of the staffs working in those institutions. The existing labor law allows the workers to open trade union if their memberships covered at least 25 percent of the total workforce.
But the law asks them to designate one union as the official trade union and work through it for the official purpose and for protecting workers professional rights and pursuing collective bargaining.
However, given the differences running deep among the workers´ ideology and interests, all the trade unions have been declaring themselves as the official one. This has created unnecessary hassles in the financial institutions and eaten away productivity, time and energy of the management.
“How can the management focus on innovation, efficiency, productivity and generating return for the institution, if it needs to engage all the time with the different trade unions individually?” wondered Dr Khatiwada.
Speaking at the 5th Central Council Meeting of NRB Employees´ Association, which started on Friday, Dr Khatiwada said that although the economy was facing serious challenges, the situation was still manageable.
The latest indicators that the Governor cited at the program suggest that imports growth rate has slowed to 35 percent from 48 percent, remittance is still growing at 10 percent and the foreign currency reserve is still adequate to finance imports for seven months. The indicators still portrayed gloomy picture for merchandise exports.
“It is true that balance of payment deficit will persist through this fiscal year. But key indicators indicate correction has already started. It means the economy will not land in grave crisis as many economists claim,” said he.
Earlier, trade union officials, including Premal Khanal and Rajendra Rimal, had urged the central bank to lay down a clear cut human resource plan, clarify its policy on merger and acquisition and develop new infrastructures such that it supports rise in staff productivity.
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