Kathmandu, April 3:

Four trade union federations today entered into an alliance for the protection of professional and trade union rights and expressed their solidarity with the peaceful movement launched by the seven-party alliance.

The alliance of the professional organisations and trade union federations also decided to actively take part in the April 4-9 peaceful general strike called by the parliamentary parties.

They have also issued a circular to all the national, central, regional, zonal and district-level committees affiliated to professional and trade union federations to take part in the peaceful agitation called by the parliamentary parties.

A joint statement issued by General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT), Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions (DECONT) and Confederation of Nepalese Professionals (CONEP) directed the affiliated bodies to constitute a joint mechanism at regional, zonal and district levels to coordinate their activities for the restoration of democracy.

“Let’s express solidarity with democratic movement for the protection of trade union rights” is the common slogan of the professional organisations and trade union federations.

Meanwhile, in a press statement today, Professional Network for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD) — a loose network of six professional organisations — called upon the warring sides to reach a mutual ceasefire.

The organisations issuing the call for a ceasefire include Nepal Bar Association, Nepal Engineers’ Association, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Nepal Medical Association, Nepal University Teachers’ Association and Nepal Teachers’ Association.