Jajarkot, Aug,1: Labourers who worked in Kudu Lift Drinking Water Project in Bheri Municipality-13, Jajarkot district, have not received their wages even in five years.

The Bheri Municipality had allocated a budget of around Rs. 5 million for the project in the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 and assigned it to the consumer committee. However, more than 12 workers have not received their payments yet and they have now reached the district headquarters seeking legal assistance.

The workers have expressed their grievances, stating that they did not receive proper payment for their work. Yam Bahadur Shahi, a local worker, said that the officials of the consumer committee even threatened him when he attempted to collect his dues. As a result, he was now taking up legal action.

Shahi said, "I don’t have skills other than labour work. I know stone crushing and similar tasks. It has been difficult to look after my family after not being paid for the work I did in the past." He said that the complaint filed at the District Administration Office was sent to District Police Office.

Another worker Pithimal Budha said that the District Police Office did not take the matter seriously. They simply informed the workers that their role was to facilitate an agreement between the two parties, and if any party disagreed, they should go to the court, he added.

Chandrabir Giri said that although the judicial committee was empowered to resolve disputes such as wage fraud, child support and land acquisition, the judicial committee refused to receive any complaints related to such issues.

The workers are worried they might not get the payment. They informed that the employees of Bheri Municipality had asked them to visit the District Administration Office because such process did not fall under their jurisdiction. The workers have been visiting the municipality, District Administrative Office and District Police office seeking help.

They informed that some labourers have not been paid for 45 days of work and some for 60 days. Due to the financial strain caused by non-payment, some of them were forced to seek foreign employment to support their families.

Published on: 1 August 2023 | The Rising Nepal