The casino management had closed down operations on Tuesday, citing labor problems. [break]Workers of the Pokhara-based casinos had launched a strike a few days ago, asking the management to hike their salary by Rs 1,600 as published in the government´s gazette.
However, the management has been maintaining silence, following which the Labor Office, Kaski, had picked up the case and invited both workers and the management for talks.
Despite labor office´s mediation, the management on Tuesday shut down the casino, accusing workers of misbehaving with casino guests. Workers, on the other hand, have blamed the management of misusing money from the staff welfare fund.
On Thursday, majority of the workers had approached the casino office to push the management for talks. However, they said they could not contact any of the officials.
The Labor Office has issued a letter to the casino management asking it to come for talks on Monday. It has also sought clarification from the management for its sudden decision to shut down operations.
“We have already issued a letter to the management, inviting it to come for talks with explanation behind its sudden decision,” said Rabi Bhatta, chief of the labor office. He told Republica that the office will convince the parties to hold discussions.
The casino located on the premises of Pokhara Grande Hotel has 220 employees. Both the hotel and the casino are promoted by Kishor Silwal who is also operates Casino Rad and Casino Venus in Kathmandu.
Naraj Bahadur Khadka of the All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers´ Union (ANHRWU) that spearheaded the strike said they started the protest after the management increased the salary hotel workers only, and left the salary of casino workers unchanged.
He said the union has also filed a case against the management at the Labor Office, accusing it of violating the Labor Act by illegally shutting down the casino.
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