KATHMANDU: People related to the handicraft industries today urged labour unions work in mutual understanding for the development of the handicraft sector.

According to Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN), All Nepal Metal Workers’ Union has submitted a 22-point memorandum to different people in the handicraft business. The union has demanded granting of permanent jobs to workers after 240 days at work. It has also called for a 75 per cent hike in the wage granted to the workers. It has asked for an increment of 10 per cent per tola of silver worked and also that there must be 100 per cent gratuity provided for labourers according to the income.

Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) said, “These are demands which are difficult to concede. “ If demands are compatible to both the business person and the employee, they can be fulfilled but if the demand becomes a threat it can never be fulfilled, said Karnikar.

Meanwhile, senior vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) Suresh Pradhan said that the entrepreneurs are operating as per the labour wage policy decided by the government. Therefore, the only thing lacking is understanding between the employer and the employee. There must be good understanding between them, said Pradhan.

“Handicraft is the only export sector which is in steady growth but still it needs

more support and promotion. If the labour disputes continue, this sector will definitely

have to face hard times in future,” said Pushkar Man Shakya, president of FHAN.

The memorandum also includes the demand to grant compensation of Rs 10,000 to labourers in case they are sacked from the work as per the number of years they have worked. Labourers should be granted the right to decide the wages according to latest designs of handicrafts made.