The workers affiliated with Madhesi Trade Union Forum (MTUF) forced closure of industries in the Sunsari-Morang Industrial Corridor on Friday, a day after big three trade unions in the country agreed not to launch strike of any form in industries for four years.

Officials of MTUF said they were against the understanding that the three trade unions reached with Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Thursday, stating that they were not called for the talks. MTUF officials on the day led a demonstration and forced closure of industries by entering the premises of the industries based in the corridor. This has brought operation of more than 500 big and small industries in the corridor to a grinding halt.

FNCCI on Wednesday signed an agreement with Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), NC-affiliated Nepal Trade Union Congress and UML-affiliated General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), agreeing to hike monthly minimum wage to Rs 6,100 from Rs 4,600. The trade unions on the other hand agreed not to organize strike in industries for four years.

“We were forced to shut down the industry after two separate groups forcefully entered the industry premises and created chaos in the workplace,” said Govinda Bajagain, administrative officer of Arihanta Multi-fibers.

Industrialists said the closure has hit them at a time when they were already curtailing productions due to protracted power cuts.

Sushil Gachchhadhar, chairman of workers´ union close to Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic), said the union went on a strike because FNCCI ignored his union by entering into an agreement with ANTUF, GEFONT and NTUC only, not recognizing it. “We don´t support the agreement that they reached,” said Gachchhadhar.

Industrialists, meanwhile, complained that the cadres of Madheshi Liberation Front have been on an extortion drive of late, unleashing a situation of terror among them.

“The front has demanded ´donations´ from 90 percent of industries based in the corridor,” said Bibek Karna, production co-coordinator of Pashupati Refined Flour Mill, Sonapur. He told Republica that front have threatened the industrialists of dire consequences if they failed to cough up the amount demanded by them.

Cadres of other trade unions like Nepal Progressive Trade Union Federation and Independent Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Union also took part in the demonstration.

Published on: 26 March 2011 | Republica