Ashok Thapa

In an attempt to resolve the protracted dispute between different trade unions and employers over minimum wage and salary for workers, the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM) has decided to come up with new remuneration package.

The MoLTM´s decision comes after a dialogue with all trade unions and employers failed to yield any result.

The ministry had held several rounds of talks with trade union leaders and employers following the March-24 labor pact. But the agreement was challenged by some trade unions.

The ministry held a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), major trade unions and agitating trade unions on Thursday.

“We have decided to prepare a new package to resolve the problem,” Deepak Subedi, joint-secretary at the MoLTM told Republica after the meeting. He said the ministry will start preparing the new package from Friday.

“The new package will be prepared on the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee and labor minister,” added Subedi.

The ministry had intervened into the issue of minimum wage and salary on April 16 after five trade unions, including two factions of All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), called industrial shutdown defying the agreement between employers and three major trade unions.

Pashupati Murarka, chairman of Employers´ Council, FNCCI said that the dispute over minimum wage hike has now gone beyond the hand of employers and trade unions. “We are also hopeful that the ministry would come of with the package that would be acceptable to all.”

Published on: 13 May 2011 | Republica