KATHMANDU: The Unified CPN- Maoist- aligned All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union (ANHRWU) today called off its strike after the agitating workers and hoteliers inked an agreement and smoked the peace pipe.

As per the accord, most five-star hotels have agreed to fulfill the workers’ demands, including increment in salary, among others.

ANHRWU members were on strike for the last one week. marathon talks — brokered by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) — on Monday

between the agitating workers and Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) facilitated the disgruntled sides to find out an amicable solution to the crisis.

Hotel workers and hoteliers were engaging in talks since yesterday. In talks held today, five-star hotels — Radisson, Shangri-La, Annapurna, Yak and Yeti and Hyatt Regency — agreed to address the demands put forth by the workers in compliance with their means.

According to the agreement, the hoteliers will increase Rs 800 and up to Rs 500 each in their monthly salary and dearness allowance, respectively, with effective from January 2010. The agreement will be effective for the next two years. Meanwhile, talks between the agitating workers and officials of Hotel Malla, Everest and Soaltee Crown Plaza are underway, said ANHRWU central member Hom Subedi.

Moreover, Annapurna Hotel is providing overtime and travel allowance to workers while Hyatt Regency is ready to give medical allowance or similar facility for family members of the workers. Annual salary increment will be 6 per cent in five-star hotels in the coming year.