Trade unions warn of protest

BIRJUNG, Feb 27: Trade union leaders have warned of strong protest at industries in Pathlaiya-Birgunj Industrial Corridor, putting forth a charter of demands, including cent percent hike in salary of workers from the beginning of the fiscal year 2011/12.[break]



Three big trade unions in the country -- All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) and Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) - on Sunday submitted a joint seven-point memorandum to Ministry of Labor and Transport along with local administrations of Kathmandu, Bara, Parsa and Rautahat and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. They have warned of launching protest from next week if their demands are not addressed by then.



The unions have also urged the government to cut load-shedding at industries and create environment conducive to run industries.



Other demands include fixing daily wage of workers at Rs 400, reopening of close industries at the corridor and upholding rights of workers among others.



Min Prashad Chapagain of ANTUF told Republica that they had requested the government to address the problems of both the industrialists and the laborers.



An industrialist at the corridor said the demands of workers had created further troubles for industries that were already curtailing outputs by as much as 50 percent due to power cuts.

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