With the issue of salary hike escalating in the country’s major industrial corridors, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Tuesday demanded the government immediately make efforts to end workers’ protest s in Hetauda- and Birgunj-based industries.

The FNNCI also warned they would be forced to shut down their industries if the government does not act to resolve the crisis. The apex body of the private sector said the demand to hike salaries of all workers “is illegal”. 

A total of 16 industries in the Birgunj-Pathalaiya Corridor have remained closed due to the protest s.

An FNCCI delegation led by its Vice-president Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar on Tuesday met Minister for Labour and Employment Hari Prasad Neupane and discussed the ongoing disturbances in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Corridor and Makawanpur Industrial Estate.

During the meeting, the FNCCI team demanded the minister issue an order as per the Clause 80 of the Labour Act to help run industries smoothly. The clause allows the government to issue an order to stop any kinds of protest s affecting production which harms the national economy.

The latest revision of workers’ salary has increased the minimum monthly pay by Rs 1,800 to Rs 8,000. The pay was revised two months ago.

The current crisis insured after trade unions started asking employers to increase the monthly salaries of all workers by Rs 1,800. But employers say only those earning below Rs 8,000 will be given the raise. “The demand to increase salaries of all workers by Rs 1,800 is not possible,” said FNCCI Vice-president Pasupati Murarka. He said only the minimum salary was revised and fixed at Rs 8,000, up from Rs 6,200.

At the meeting, Neupane assured to resolve the problem in coordination with Home and Industry Ministries. He said the government will soon call a meeting with employers and trade unions to discuss the matter. Ministry officials said the unions misinterpreted the minimum salary provision.

Beni Timilsina, central member of All Nepal Industrial Workers’ Association said they have closed the industries for an indefinite period starting Monday after industry managements failed to address their demand.

Timilsina said since the pay scale of starters and those working for 20 years have become the same, a salary hike is a must for old workers. Industries including Hulas Steel, Agrani Aluminum, New Plasts, Triveni Spinning, Triveni Textile, Triveni Simpact, Polimar Industries, Triveni Fabrics and GD Pharma, among others, have remained closed in Birgunj.

Workers’ Salary Hike Row: Union members clash

Employees affiliated to the UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-Maoist scuffled on Tuesday after both the sides claimed the same name for the registration of their federations at the Department of Labour and Employment (DoLE), New Baneshwor. Around a dozen individuals sustained injuries in the clash. The employees also vandalised the DoLE office, vehicles, computers and furniture, according to Krishna Hari Puskar, director-general of the DoLE. “We are yet to ascertain the exact loss,” he said. The scuffle ensued after employees close to the UCPN (Maoist) claimed the registration of the “National Employees Federation of Nepal”. However, the name was already taken by the employees close to the CPN-Maoist the same day.

Published on: 7 August 2013 | The Kathmandu Post