The new provision that the government is seriously contemplating to address the long-running demand of the private sector, however, will allow trade unions to place professional demands and stage protests like working with black bands. [break]
"It will uphold workers rights to collective bargaining, but also makes sure that workers, while exercising their rights, do not affect productions and force unnecessary closure of industries," a highly placed source told myrepublica.com on Friday.
To ensure that the new move will not deprive workers from getting their genuine demands fulfilled and exercise their professional rights, the government has even proposed formation of an all party body -- including leaders of all trade unions, employers and a government representative -- to address genuine concerns of the workers.
The government expedited a serious exercise to this connection mainly after recent reports on crucial industrial indicators portrayed dismal performance of the industrial productions and exports.
Ministry of Industry had first pushed for this provision, arguing that it was very necessary to correct politics-led indiscipline in the industries and reverse the new trend of mass closure of industries that has hit employment and spurred frustrations among youths.
To enforce the new rule, the government is currently discussing on two options: declaring state of ´industrial emergency´ or activate Essential Service Act, listing export-oriented industries as one of the essential sectors. These options were recommended to the cabinet by a high-level government committee, involving secretaries from various ministries.
"Both these options can be implemented and can help keep export-oriented industries free from strikes,” the source added.
But since the implementation of the provision will need strong commitment from all political parties, the committee, in coordination with the private sector, also held a series of interactions with senior political leaders, including the UCPN (Maoist) leaders, to forge consensus on it.
"The leaders were concerned that the step might curb workers´ rights to push professional demands and pursue collective bargain. But once we informed them about formation of an all party mechanism to uphold them, they agreed to it," said Kush Kumar Joshi, president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).
FNCCI that is elated by the positive response from the leaders has even urged the government to enforce the new provision within 15 days.
However, given the experiences of political leaders easily disowning the commitments they made in the past, sources said that the government is still not satisfied with the level of consultations and is soon holding talks with the trade unions as well.
But Joshi argued that trade unions too should have no problem with the proposal, especially as it does not restrict them from acting professionally and organizing protests in a genuine way. But he admitted that a lot will depend on whether trade unions will be ready to let go political saddle.
milan@myrepublica.com
Related story
Cement, steel industries in trouble as demand stagnates
_20220508065243.jpg)
