Kathmandu, December 13

Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal Kjell Tormod Pettersen has urged Nepali businesses to adopt Nordic model of business management to address key labour issues.

Speaking at a discussion programme organised by the Embassy of Norway in Kathmandu today, Pettersen said that the Nordic model of business management is a unique concept of free market economy and adoption of this model can be fruitful to Nepali businesses and help address labour issues of the country.

“Nordic model emphasises on collective tri-party role of employer, employee and the government in any business and their intact relationship,” Pettersen said, adding this model has received good feedback from businesses across countries.

Tima Iyer Uthe, senior vice president of International Hydropower, Statkraft, opined that businesses should adopt Nordic model as it envisions equality, ensures social security and foresees trust, cooperation and respect among staffers.

“The Nordic model does not allow power struggle within any business and believes in equality among all in power distribution and other facilities. Rather, this model talks about consensus management system through team effort,” Uthe said, adding, “As this model addresses labour issues, its implementation in Nepal can prove to be beneficial.”

Meanwhile, Ramesh Badal, foreign department secretary at General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions said Nordic model is not fit for Nepal due to dissimilar labour contexts. “Nordic model is good and widely applicable in Nordic nations and other developed countries where social security is guaranteed by businesses for its staff,” Badal said. Such model is not applicable here as a large number of staff are victims of inequality in terms of wages and have less access to decision-making.