HETAUNDA: The Unilever Nepal Limited, which had announced to halt operation of its Hetaunda-based factory citing "illegal" protests from workers and trade unions till a next notice, agreed to reopen the factory from tomorrow.

The company and agitating workers signed a four-point agreement after talks at the Makawanpur District Administration Office later this afternoon, thereby avoiding the likely stalemate.

In the deal, the company agreed to withdraw suspension of seven workers, whereas the workers expressed a commitment not to resort to strike for next two years.

Likewise, they agreed to implement a previous decision regarding a collective residence fund.

(Updated)

Unilever's Hetaunda factory shut till next notice

HETAUNDA: The multinational company, Unilever Nepal Limited, halted operation of its Hetaunda-based factory citing "illegal" protests from workers and trade unions.

The company said the factory located in Basamadi, Hetaunda would remain shut till the next notice when a conducive environment for smooth functioning of the company would be created.

The company's Supply Chain Chief Abhijit Mukhopadhyay on behalf of the management issued a notice today and informed that the factory was shut temporarily.

The company in the notice has claimed that the trade union's activities including picketing and vandalism resulted into suspension of the operation.

Around a month ago, the company had suspended seven of its staff after the latter resorted to strike demanding implementation of an agreement signed with them. Even after the suspension, they had staged a sit-in at the industry and submitted a memorandum to the District Administration Office seeking interference for solution of the problem.

In solidarity of the workers' protest, other staff had also resorted to the strike and obstructed the supply system.

Whereas the workers have accused the company of halting operation to avoid addressing their concerns, the management said the company did not have any option after talks with the workers for last one month failed.

Corporate Communication Manager of the company, Govinda Shahi, said the company would face a loss of around Rs 5 million when it was shut for a single day.

As many as 208 staff are working in the factory.