Kathmandu, January 10:

The Night Business Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (NBEAN) today asked the Home Ministry to provide legal recognition to their enterprises, saying that they would operate their businesses abiding by the ‘code of conduct’ set by the government.

Addressing a programme organised here today by NBEAN, CA member Sapana Pradhan Malla said the ban on night businesses was an indication of discrimination between different social classes by the government. She also alleged that the government was promoting inequity in the society.

“The Home Minister has ordered to stop night businesses after 11 pm citing security reasons. But we haven’t felt any significant decline in criminal activities after imposing the time limit on night businesses,” Pradhan said. She accused the political leaders of maintaining double standards while taking decisions. She also demanded that the state should provide alternative employment to the workers displaced from their jobs because of the government’s decision.

“At a time when women in other countries are advocating the rights of sex workers, the government here is preventing women from showing their singing and dancing talents to financially support their families,” she said.

NBEAN spokesperson Subash Palungwa Limbu said the political leaders lacked vision on upgrading the living standard of the people. “The government can never meet its goal of a financial revolution by forcing people to close their businesses,” he said, adding, “Some 80,000 workers in night businesses have been forced out of their jobs.” He also said most of the workers were conflict-hit and displaced people.

“The people have been deprived of work due to the government’s decision. Sadly, the government, however, cannot prevent girls from going to Gulf countries to work as bar dancers. More than 1,000 girls in the business have left for the Gulf countries during the past three months,” he claimed.

Metropolitan police commissioner Ramesh Shrestha said the police were holding talks with the Home Minister and the Chief District Officer to operate night business in a dignified way.