Kathmandu, November 27:

The indefinite strike called by Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA) ended from today after Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) agreed to fulfil NEFFA’s demands. The accord between the two had been signed after six-hour long discussion on various problems faced by freight forwarders and its staff employed at Tribhuvan International Airport Cargo Complex (ACC) since long, Namgyal Lama, president of NEFFA said. “Over 190 loaders employed by NEFFA at TIA cargo complex are now safe and they will get permanent identity cards from CAAN for two years,” he added.

Earlier, the government had informed NEFFA to lay off over 50 per cent loaders for security reasons. “As per the agreement, TIA management would issue permanent issue cards to loaders, staff of NEFFA including stakeholders,” Lama said while talking to The Himalayan Times. He expressed his confidence that no loaders — who are hired by NEFFA — will

be sacked by TIA management at present. “Similarly, parking fee at the ACC for small vehicles has been fixed at Rs 60 instead of Rs 100 per day. Larger vehicles/container trucks

will be charged Rs 110 instead of Rs 200 to 300,” Lama informed.

According to him, an agreement has also been reached between the CAAN and NEFFA to form a committee comprising of freight forwarders, government officials, exporters, customs agents and airlines representatives to look after the problems faced by freight forwarders and exporters. CAAN has also assured NEFFA that the freight charge would remain at Rs 3 per kg as before.