Kathmandu, May 10:

Readymade garment entrepreneurs have requested trade unions related to Maoists not to issue any sort of threats of strike as the country is going through a transition and is in the process of establishing peace.

They added that it does not mean that the Maoists demands will not be met. But that these should come in a ‘systematic’ manner without threatening a strike at a time when the garment industry is in shambles.

Prashant K Pokharel, acting president of Garment Association of Nepal (GAN) said that trade unions should come to talks instead of putting their demands directly to readymade garment manufacturers. GAN has demanded to prepare a code of conduct for all political parties including the Maoists to allow operations without any hindrance, said Pokharel.

According to a GAN statement, trade unions cadres associated with CPN (Maoist) met factory workers and issued demand letters to Binita Fashion, Destination Apparels and Rara Apparels. During the transition phase, the government has to issue a code of conduct to stop ‘concerned trade unions’ from their involvement in money extortion, threatening industrialists and management and kidnapping, said Pokharel.

On Monday, GAN had submitted a letter of memorandum to the finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.