Kathmandu, May 1:

Commitments from politicians and trade union activists alike on May Day every year have successfully worked as building blocks in securing trade union rights of the ever rising number of workers.

“We have made big strides. Think for a moment that the minimum payscale in 1990 was Rs 584. Now it is Rs 3,360. The minimum salary of workers has been revised four times in the interim,” said Achyut Raj Pandey, General Secretary of the Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC).

Pandey pointed out at instances of the growing number of united employees putting up demands and coming out successful through collective bargaining, with the failure rate being very low. The fact that hotel employees are now entitled to 10 per cent service charge is the outcome of the struggle. Involved in this were trade unions affiliated to all the major political parties, including the CPN-Maoist.

However, Pandey said while the collective bargaining was delivering results, “there is a lot to be done when it comes to ensuring that those employed are given appointment letters and job permanency.”

“This is certainly a major issue. We have been chasing this as a matter of priority. Now, the matter is with the government, which has committed to bring about legislation in this regard. I am sure a law will come sooner or later,” Pandey told The Himalayan Times.

Pandey also said that largely because there is very poor corporate culture, those employed in the private sector have been finding things like fixed salary for fixed post, medical allowance and allowance towards children’s eduction as remote possibilities.

Another issue which is being taken up with the government is social security. However, what the unions have failed to secure is the enforcement of laws since members of the political establisment are known to express commitment and forget.

“That (not complying with the laws in every respect) incidentally is the reason why not all workers have gained from trade unions,” Pandey said by way of conceding the anomaly amid growing criticism of the government for not prioritising job creation. The fact that there is no dependable unemployment figure points out at the rot.

However, president of the All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) Shalikram Jamarkattel said the need was to come up with an interim labour law, with a provision aimed at addressing the “pathetic” lot of the workers in the unorganised sector.” ANTUF, he said, is the only union which has fought against contract hiring in the manufacturing sector.

Lekhak promises to ratify conventions

Kathmandu: Minister of State for Labour and Transport Management Remesh Lekhak on Tuesday expressed commitment to ratify all international conventions related to the rights of workers.

Addressing a function to mark the 181st May Day jointly organised by nine different trade unions at Basantapur, Lekhak said the government will also amend existing laws if necessary keeping in mind the changed political context.

Rallies coming from various parts of the valley converged at Basantapur. Some of them came under the attack of members of other rallies led by the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF).

The organisers claimed that many of their members were forced by members of the ANTUF to join them and manhandled many, besides vandalising their vehicles at different parts of the country. — HNS