The Department of Labour (DoL) has initiated work to establish nine Labour Relation Reform Committees (LRRCs) in a bid to resolve labour related problems at the local level. The first board meeting of the Central Labour Relation Reform Committee (CLRRC) held four days ago has decided to form LRRCs at all the labour offices in the country at the earliest.

The CLRRC was formed a month ago as part of the prime minister’s relief package which ordered establishment of a committee to provide a common platform for the government, trade unions and employers to discuss disputes and complaints.

“As growing management-labour differences have hurt industrial productivity and the investment climate, we have decided to form LRRCs at the local level charged with resolving minor issues on their own,” said Man Bahadur BK, director general of the DoL and coordinator of the CLRRC.

As part of this effort, the DoL has formed an LRRC in Birgunj. “Preparations have been completed to form a similar committee in Biratnagar,” added BK.

Nabin Pokharel, under secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM), said that both the employers and trade unions have been asked to prepare terms of reference (ToR) separately which will propose recommendations on how the CLRRC should move forward.

“Most labour protests in the country have been conducted illegally, and this has been a big challenge to address their demands. Trade unions, however, have been saying that they are compelled to put forward their demands illegally as government mechanisms are unmoved by formal agitations. In his respect, a separate ToR will suggest ways how such labour protests should be addressed,” said Pokharel who is also a member of the CLRRC.

According to other members, the ToRs submitted by the employers and trade unions will be sent to the MoLTM which will prepare guidelines for the CLRRC.

“We have also decided to hold a meeting in a month where issues regarding management-labour relations will be discussed and attempts will be made to resolve them,” said another committee member. The 13-member CLRRC consists of representatives from the MoLTM, DoL, Home Ministry, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of General Administration, trade unions and employers.

Published on: 7 December 2011 | The Kathmandu Post