Pokhara, December 24 :

After an agreement between hoteliers and restaurant entrepreneurs, and the workers on the issues of salary hike and other facilities for the workers, all hotels and restaurants — which were closed for the past two days in Pokhara — reopened today.

A meeting, between workers’ leaders, Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) officials, representatives from Pokhara Tourism Council, political parties and rights groups, was held last night to sort out the problems.

“An agreement has been reached to provide minimum of Rs 3300 monthly salary to the workers,” Shree Lal Subedi, chairman of the REBAN-Pokhara said.

“The meeting also decided to provide Rs 400 more to each workers, who were receiving monthly Rs 3300 earlier,” said Rajendra Neupane, chairman of Maoist-aligned All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union, adding that workers will get one day weekly off and eight-hour daily duty schedule.

“However, the meeting has not taken any decision on the issue of overtime,” Subedi said. According to the new agreement workers will now receive appointment letters.

Meanwhile, the jubilant workers today staged a victory rally and corner meeting to celebrate their victory. Internal as well as foreign tourists has been facing difficulties due to a sudden closure of 400 hotels and 300 restaurants in Pokhara for last two days. Many tourists have cut short their visit.

“The agitation also obstructed the preparation of eighth street festival scheduled for December 28 to January 2,” Subedi said adding that the new schedule will be fixed tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) releasing a press release in Kathmandu today has hailed the agreement reached between the workers affiliated to the Maoist-aligned All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union and the concerned authorities.

NATO has also hailed the decision by the CPN-Maoists to call off the two-day long strike they have announced earlier.