Kathmandu, Sept 5: Workers of Surya Nepal´s garment unit launched relay hunger strike from Monday, demanding the management to revoke its decision to cease operation.

The agitating workers started the hunger strike after the management paid no heed to their previous protest programs like road obstruction and picketing of the factory.

“The garment factory is directly linked to our livelihood, our life and death. Hence, we have launched hunger strike to press the management to bring the factory back into operation,” said Binda Paudel, a trade union leader.

Trade unions that have been launching various protest programs to press the management review its last month´s decision to shut down the factory permanently said more than 150 workers participated in the hunger strike on Monday. More workers are joining the strike on Tuesday, they stated.

"As the deision took away workers´ means of livelihood, we chose to sit on a hunger strike to challenge the decision," Paudel added.

The management of Surya Nepal has repeatedly clarified that will not reopen the factory. “We have lost all business prospects. Why should we open it?” questioned Ravi KC, corporate vice president of Surya Nepal.

However, participating in the hunger strike said the factory must resume operations.

“The management must resume factory, no matter what is the condition,” said Tej Lal Karna, another trade union leader. “The management cannot padlock the factory, leaving the workers jobless.”

Surya Nepal had decided to shut down its garment factory on August 16, citing that continued closure of the factory since June 15 had caused ´irreparable losses´. KC said it drove away buyers and left the company without any orders.

The factory was producing popular brands like John Players, which was well received in major markets like India, the US, Canada, France and other European countries.

Published on: 6 September 2011 | Republica