Kathmandu, May 1:

Labourers who gathered at the Khulamanch today to take part in the May Day programme said that though their employment status has improved after the establishment of loktantra democracy), they are yet to achieve their rights.

They said the existing disparity between the labours and the management can be ended by declaring Nepal a republic.

Keshav Shrestha of the All Nepal Travel, Trekking and Rafting Labourers’ Association, said the state of Nepali labourers is pathetic. “There is still high labour exploitation and inequality. The management and the government should pay attention towards fulfiling our demands,” he said.

He further said only the constituent assembly polls and establishment of a republican system can improve the condition of labourers.

Urmila Shakya of the Graded English Medium School (GEMS) said women labourers are exploited physically and mentally. “Though women can compete with men, they are lowly paid in comparison to men of the same level,” she said.

Mukunda Pokhrel said: “Inequality is rampant in the labour force, too. Declaring Nepal a republic can only end this inequality.” He said that the potters in Lukla are victimised by hotel owners.

Pabitra Tamrakar of the Casino Everest said that the Nepal Trade Union has guaranteed their jobs, as there was no job guarantee before. She said: “All labourers should be united to end labour exploitation by the management.”

A mass of labourers from different organisations and trade unions assembled at the Khulamanch to mark the 118th May Day and 22nd Mitramani memorial ceremony organised by the All Nepal Trade Union Federation.