Organising a labour rally and mass meeting here on Wednesday celebrated the 113th International Labour Day.

Speaking at a function organised by GEFONT here today, NC president Girija Prasad Koirala said that the democratic forces unite and launch a common programme against maoist terrorism.

Koirala said that the democratic forces should unite and fight against Maoist terrorism in order to protect national security.

The NC president said that the trade unions should play a significant role in resolving the problems betwen the management and the labourers.

Expressing happiness over the unification process started between Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and GEFONT, Koirala called on all to unite and gear ahead the trade union movement.

Stressing the need to formulate economic policies taking into consideration the geographical, social and economic condition of the country, Koirala said that the people at the lowest level will enjoy to fruits of development by doing this.

Former prime minister and NC president koirala called on all to take part in the mass meeting to be organised by the political parties on May 10.

CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal protested against the killings being carried out by the government and the Maoists.

Stressing the need to hold discussions and talks among ourselves to resolve the problems of the country, Nepal said that we do not need foreign troops to resolve our problem.

The mass meeting to be organised on May 10 is meant from safeguarding the achievements of the popular movement of 2046 BS, consolidating democracy, protecting the nation and protesting against murder, violence and terrorism, Nepal said, adding that a clear economic policy should be formulated in order to make the country self-reliant.

Stating that a common understanding should be maintained for the rights and existence of the labourers, Nepal said rights of the labourers and the trade unions should be guaranteed.

President of the FNCCI Rabi Bhakta Shrestha said that as the entrepreneurs and the labourers face the challenge of their existence and stability, homework should be done resolve this problem.

Shrestha said that the entrepreneurs and labourers should join hands and increase production for the development of the country.

ILO director Leyla Tegmo Reddy urged the government, entrepreneurs and labourers to hold dialogue for poverty alleviation and other aspects.

Representative of the Swedish Left Party and MP Carl Larsen called on the Nepalese labourers to unite and move against capitalists and exploiters of women.

The socialist movement should be geared ahead for basic human rights, social justiceand poverty alleviation, he added.

GEFONT general secretary Bishnu Rimal said that 10,142 labourers lost their jobs as a result of the closure of 33 garment, four textile and two pashmina industries.

Rimal said that more than 1,000 labourers of four hotels were laid off and about 3,000 labourers made to stay on compulsory leave last year.