Demanding pay hike, trade unions have enforced closure of some industrial enterprises in Birgunj-Pathlaiya corridor for the past eight days.
Amrit Lal Joshi, chairman of Nepal Trade Union Congress´s central regional chapter, said representatives of trade unions are holding talks with management of the industrial enterprises separately. “The talks, however, are not becoming fruitful,” Joshi told Republica over phone on Friday. [break]
Joshi further added that talks with Tribeni Group and Golchha Organization are not making headway as they are firmly stuck on their stances of not fulfilling demands placed by the workers. “The talks, however, are making significant progress in other industries,” he added.
Workers have enforced closure of Hanuman Metal, Hama Iron and Kansai Paints as well as seven industries owned by Tribeni Group and two industries of Golchha Organization in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya corridor. Some industries in Hetauda Industrial Estate, however, resumed operation this week.
These industries have remained closed since August 2 after trade unions after trade unions demanded pay hike to all workers in line with the hike in minimum remuneration of workers.
The government recently increased minimum monthly remuneration of workers by Rs 1,800 to Rs 8,000.
Sunil Kumar Kantha, executive secretary of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said talks were heading toward fruition. “The Sunday´s talks might resolve the issue,” he added.
The talks gained pace after the officials of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) drew the attention of Minister for Labor and Employment Hari Prasad Neupane toward the strike. During the meeting with Minister Neupane, NFCCI officials had termed the strike as ´illegal´ as it was launched without giving prior notice to the management. The officials had also demanded that the government issue and order to end the strike by invoking Section 80 of Labor Act 1992.
According to Kantha, Nu Plast and GD Pharmaceuticals opened from Thursday itself after workers and the management struck a deal.
“We can´t work with the same salary as minimum wage earners and newcomers have got an increment following the government decision to raise minimum monthly wage of workers,” argued Joshi. He further added that the fresh explanation of minimum wage by the Department of Labor has left the workers infuriated.
A few days ago Minister Neupane directed trade unions and industries to resolve the issues at the local level after the central leaders of trade unions denied to sit for the talks saying that the pay row should be resolved at the local level.
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