KATHMANDU, MAY 1

The International Labour Day, also referred to as 'May Day', was observed with various programmes organised by different labour unions, worker activists and workers here today.

The day is celebrated annually on May 1 and has been observed in the country since 1963. A public holiday on this day was officially announced in 2007.

On the occasion, President Bidya Devi Bhandari stressed on the need for a culture to respect labour by highlighting their importance in the country's economic development.

She extended her best wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all working Nepalis living in Nepal and abroad. President Bhandari also called for working towards ensuring labour rights, proper wages and social security to the workers.

Similarly, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba also extended his best wishes to all labourers in the country and abroad on the occasion of the May Day. He also mentioned that working people had played an important role in bringing democratic changes in the country.

PM Deuba also reminded that the country's constitution provides the rights to a dignified life for every citizens and elimination of all forms of discrimination.

Similarly, expressing his wishes on the occasion of the 133th International Workers' Day, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Krishna Kumar Shrestha shared that the government is committed to creating a secure working environment, equal pay, participation of the working class in policymaking, and ending all forms of discriminations.

He also said that the government has made efforts for legal, policy and procedural reforms for the effective implementation of the fundamental rights of labourers and workers.

He also called for coordination among the government bodies, employers and workers to build an independent and self-reliant economy through increasing production rates and productivity.

Stating that new labour agreements and renewal of labour agreements with the destination countries have been given priority for the security of those in foreign employment, Minister Shrestha extry and business operations, the working environment, labour relations and labour market. Restructuring of work, skill development and increasing use of modern technology have added challenges in managing labour relations."

Stating that the rate of new COVID infections has declined sharply with the introduction of the vaccines against the virus, Golchha said that standing and cooperation to cope with current and future situations by developing good industrial relations," he said.

Similarly, Sanghai said, "It is clear that the COVID-19 has seriously affected the security of human health and the pace of economic growth. We have to face the challenges created by the transition, the working environment and the changes in the labour market."

A version of this article appears in the print on May 02, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.