Interestingly, the pay and perks enjoyed by central bank staff members are considered among the most attractive in Nepal's employment sector. Even a junior-most staffer there draws a minimum of Rs 35,000 per month. Additionally, around 500 of the NRB's total workforce get training opportunities in foreign countries annually.NRB Employees' Union, which is close to the ruling CPN-UML, has been holding sit-in protest in front of the offices of Governor and Deputy Governors for the past few days. While majority of their 37-point demand are related to employee benefits, Basanta Raj Panday, chairman of the union, said the main purpose of their protest is to end the current mismanagement seen in the central bank. "Our pay and perks rises on periodic basis as per the employees' bylaws and regulations. Hence, these are not our major demands," he added.
According to Panday, they have demanded that the central bank immediately initiate preparation to reconstruct its building and infrastructure damaged by the earthquake, provide relief amount and other package to staff members affected by the earthquake, strictly enforce policies for promotion, transfer and training opportunity, and increase allowance by 50 percent.
Many officials of central banks say the protest is politically motivated. "The protest by the CPN-UML aligned union is intended to hinder the activities of the central bank led by the Governor who was appointed by the erstwhile Nepali Congress-led government," a senior official of NRB told Republica, requesting anonymity.
Refuting the allegation, Panday said one of their demands seek NRB to introduce 'check and balance' in leadership of various departments of the central bank. "We have always cooperated with governors appointed by the Nepali Congress. So, there is no question of non-cooperation to the incumbent governor. However, the promotion and transfer of staff should be conducted in free and fair manner to ensure check and balance," he said, indicating that that want better posts for workers close to CPN-UML.
Meanwhile, the central bank has formed a five-member committee led by Deputy Governor Gopal Raj Kaphle to hold talks with the agitating workers.
NRB Spokesperson Trilochan Pangeni told Republica that the central bank would address the genuine demands of the agitating union. "The talks committee has been formed. It will negotiate with the workers and address their genuine demands," he said.
He, however, denied any mismanagement at the central bank as accused by the agitating workers.
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