Gaighat, January 12:

The lockout at the country’s largest cement factory, Udaypur Cement Factory, by the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Industrial Workers’ Union is into the second week, halting the production as well as the regular works at the factory.

The union padlocked the factory by putting forward its 20-point-demand. While the workers have been put out of work, the union has said it would not let the factory resume operations until its demands related to perks have not been met. The factory management has however claimed that it has already addressed the demands and urged the union to lift the lockout. The agitators have been demanding a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500. The factory two weeks ago decided to address the demands and forwarded it to the finance ministry for approval.