Kathmandu, August 8 Unilever Nepal Ltd (UNL) has clarified it was forced to announce lockout of operations on Sunday owing to complete cessation of normal factory operations in Hetauda. As normal operations of the factory of UNL in Hetauda have been severely disrupted due to industrial relations issues since July 10, the management on several occasions had appealed to the leaders of the workmen to give up coercive tactics and address the issues through dialogue, as per a media release issued today. “However the union leaders continued with their unreasonable pressure tactics and made it impossible for the management to carry out the day-to-day operations. As a result, the supply of daily necessity products manufactured by UNL has been severely disrupted.” UNL factory in Hetauda employs 154 staff and manufactures FMCG products. Despite several challenges in the recent past, including the massive earthquakes, shortage of diesel, etcetera, the management stood behind its employees and demonstrated its commitment to Nepal, the release further says. “The recent developments are really unfortunate and have made it impossible to carry out day-to-day operations at the factory. The management was, hence, forced to take this step of declaring a lockout due to complete cessation of normal factory operations.” The release says the management displayed the notice of the lockout at its factory premises and has informed statutory authorities. UNL has kept District Labour Office, Hetauda; Chief District Officer, District Administration Office, Makwanpur; Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, Hetauda informed of situation in the factory and cessation of factory operations due to the current circumstances.