SANGAM

MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Clarion call for ensuring workers’ rights
SANGAM PRASAIN
MAY 02 - Various political party affiliated workers' union on Saturday celebrated 121st International Workers' Day (May Day) chanting slogans and staging rallies to secure workers' rights and privileges. Seven major trade unions affiliated to various political parties including the Confederation of Nepalese Professionals organized different public functions and took out rallies in the capital city at different intervals. During the rallies, all workers' unions unilaterally demanded the government to secure the rights of oppressed workers and to implement the labor act. "All trade union leaders have sought a constitutional guarantee for the rights of workers when the country gets a new constitution," said Achyut Raj Pandey, general secretary of Nepal Trade Union Congress Independent (NTUC-I). He said the May Day programme was organized across the country. There were around 3,000 to 4,000 workers participating the programme addressed by senior NTUC-I leaders. "This year, our voice was raised to establish social security for social justice to support sound industrial relations system and activate the Labour Commission," he said. Addressing the NTUC-I gathering, Acting President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said workers' movements have brought great changes in the world. He said that his party was committed to protect democracy, the rule of law, press freedom, professional welfare of workers and judicial freedom. General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GFONT) also organized a morning rally on May Day. Bishnu Rimal, President of GFONT said their top political leaders addressed the programme. "Our agendas were focused on the effective implementation of Social Security Fund (SSF)," he said. He said that the SSF should also incorporate the government and the business entrepreneurs. Under the SSF, the employees are entitled to pay 1 percent of their total income. However, the government and the business entrepreneurs are not entitled to the provision. "If the government and the businessmen are incorporated in the SSF with more than 2 percent contribution of their earnings it will be a comprehensive social security system under which workers' rights can be ensured as part of social security under the Labour Act and Rules. George Mavrikos, general secretary of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and a member of the Greece Parliament, who is here to take part in the May Day function, said Nepal's trade union movement is grappling with unemployment that is greatly increasing poverty. He pointed out that inflation on the other hand is hitting hard the people in South Asia. He said South Asian countries need to increase spending on productive sectors to address the ongoing employment problem that is growing at an alarming rate. "The Ministry is committed to ensure the trade union rights of workers and make a congenial environment between workers and owners," said Labour Minister Mohammed Aftab Alam. "The country's overall economic development hinges on strengthening mutual relations between the workers and the owners," said Surendra Bir Malakar, president, Nepal Chambers of Commerce. The labour movement in Nepal began on March 4, 1947 in Biratnagar against the hereditary Rana rule for the establishment of democracy and advancement of workers' rights. In 1960, with the dissolution of multiparty democracy in Nepal, trade unions were banned along with political parties for almost 30 years under the Panchayat system. With the overthrow of Panchayat rule in 1990 following a popular movement for the restoration of democracy, freedom of expression and organization became a part of national life.