Sindhupalchowk, January 7:

A unit committee of Nepal Free Transport Workers’ Union have decided to protest against the implementation of identity card system to enter Khasa bazaar in Tibet.

The committee said that over 1,100 transport workers of 545 container vans being used in Nepal-China trade will be affected by the Identity card (ID) system.

“Over 75 per cent of transport workers hail from outside Sindhupalchowk district and ID cards for them could not be acquired, chairman of the unit,” Arjun Sapkota said.

“Transport workers who have been travelling to Khasa border in the past can’t do so now just because they are from outer districts. This system is against workers’ interest,” he said.

Traders said that after the implementation of Identity card system, workers belonging to Kavre, Dolakha, Ramechhap and other districts have to face different hassles like getting passports and visas which may gradually displace them.

Traders added that those belonging to Sindhupalchowk district who travel from Tatopani transit point regularly are facing hassles, as they too cannot acquire Identity cards on time.

Implementation of Identity card system at Tatopani transit point which has drawn flak from traders involved in Nepal-China trade, is suspected to evoke protest from transport workers, affecting trade at the point.

Small traders have been most affected by the implementation of the ID card system. They said that they have not been able to do any business for the past one week. “We can’t afford to make passports and visas. This Identity card system has put us in great difficulty,” one such small trader told The Himalayan Times.

Earlier, ten different organisations belonging to Nepal-China trade, had protested against the ID card system by issuing separate statements.