KATHMANDU: The total worth of Nepali Readymade Garment (RMG) exported in May was $571,232.94. April saw RMG export worth $529569.42, which was a fall of 58 per cent compared to the same period last year. “Internal hazards persist. Labour grievances are high and some demands are hard to address,” said Garment Association Nepal (GAN) president Prashant Kumar Pokharel adding that unless there is labour market reform these hazards will keep plaguing the garment sector. “If the labour termination rule gets flexible, we will be able to solve 70 per cent of the problems. There must be free trade unionization,” he added.

“Total export has shrunk by 90 per cent, compared to the year 2003,” Pokharel said urging the government to fix specific agenda for sick industries as soon as possible.

Special package programmes for the industry at the government level can help the industry generate employment opportunities for more than three lakh people while more than 300 new garment factories can be established, he said.

Of late, the US bill regarding trade relief to the Nepali garment industry is in its final process and is awaiting the US Senate’s approval. GAN has also urged Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring amendments in the policy regarding easy access to loans for sick industries.

“The US bill approval is not enough to boost the garment industry. We do need government support to revive and thrive. There should be special lobbying at this time,” Pokharel said.