Workers across the country marked the 123rd International Workers’ Day (May Day) on Tuesday, asking that the government ensure their 10 percent representation in state agencies in the new constitution. They also sought the implementation of social security schemes and the labour law.

Major seven trade unions of the country, including the All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), Nepal Trade Union Congress- Independent (NTUC-I), Nepal Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Nepal Progressive Trade Union Federation (NPTUF), National Democratic Trade Union Federation (NDTUF) and General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT), organised separate functions to observe the day. 

 

But they expressed solidarity to the demand of 10 percent representation of workers in state agencies put forward by the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC), a forum of different trade unions. They also sought implementation of social security schemes and endorsement of the labour reform package at the earliest. 

 

Under the labour reform package, the government has been preparing bring seven new Acts and policies, including the Labour Act, Labour Policy, Social Security Fund Act, Trade Union Act and Unemployment Benefit Act, among others.

 

“Ensuring 10 percent representation in both local- and high-level policy-making bodies was the top demand of the May Day,” said Bishnu Rimal, Chairman of GEFONT. 

 

“As workers have been marginalised and underrepresented for a long, we want our participation in state bodies,” he said, adding that workers should be a part of inclusion along with women, indigenous, differently-abled and other marginalised groups.

 

Maoist-affiliated, ANTUF organised rally that passed across city thoroughfares before converging into mass assembly at Khulla Manch. “We will not accept the new constitution if it fails to ensure at least 10 percent representation of workers in state mechanisms,” said Shalikram Jamarkattel, coordinator of ANTUF, at the assembly.

 

Minister for Labour and Transport Management Malbar Singh Thapa expressed commitment that the government would implement all labour related acts. 

 

He also pledged to implement the social security schemes.

Addressing the CPN (UML)-aligned GEFONT’s assembly at Bhrikuti Mandap, its Chairman Rimal asked the government to host an Employment Summit before the Nepal Investment Year 2012-13. “Although many of the employers-workers tussles have been resolved through dialogue, still there might be some misunderstandings between them,” said Rimal, “The summit will help create conducive industrial environment, which is key to the investment year’s success.” 

 

May Day is marked throughout the world on May 1 to remember the victory of workers that went on strike in Chicago, US, in 1886, demanding an eight-hour working day and equal time for entertainment and rest.