Hetaunda, November 28:

Workers affiliated to All Nepal Industrial Workers’ Union have shut down 42 industries at

Hetaunda Industrial Zone protesting that their pay scale had not been adjusted as per the minimum wage decided by the government.

The workers had shut down the industries for two hours on November 25 and handed over a memorandum to the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) to fulfill the demands within three days.

Labour leader Krishna Raj Koirala said, “The strike is more of a compulsion after failing to hold negotiations with the representatives of the CNI and industries.”

The workers’ strike has shut down at least 60 industries, including 12 crusher industries in Makawanpur. These industries have 4,350 workers with them. However, six industries are in operation.

Meanwhile, Dhruba Prasad Parajuli, general secretary of Makawanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries stated that talks were underway at the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management.

“Closure of industries in Makwanpur for a day incurs a loss of nearly Rs 20 million,” he added.