Parasi, December 27:

Production in the Bhrikuti paper factory, the first paper producer of Nepal, has halted since yesterday owing to the workers’ agitation.

The workers went on strike and halted paper production citing that the factory administration had not granted the hiked salary that the government had earmarked for workers.

Organising a press conference on the factory premises today, the workers’ struggle committee of Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper declared that they had launched the stir against the factory management as it had denied providing them the salary as specified by the government.

Struggle committee coordinator Lalit Shrestha accused the factory administration of ignoring their demands even after they orally forwarded their demands several times. He added that work would not resume until past agreements were implemented and the salary increment given. Over 1,000 workers are employed at the factory which produces paper worth lakhs of rupees everyday.