Nepal is not industrialized, but nor is it an agricultural economy. The number of industry workers is very low. But even this low number is not getting even the basic minimum services. The situation of the workers is miserable. But at times labor unions themselves seem to be standing against industrialization. They have led to closure of one company after another.

 

We admit there have been a few such incidents. But you have to understand that state policies have facilitated the process of industrialization wherever it has taken off. Do not forget, workers came into being only after the groundwork for industrialization had been laid. Before industrialization, workers worked as slaves on the land. 

 

Regarding Nepal, there are three reasons behind snail’s pace of industrialization. One, the feudal system accumulated wealth but spent it for luxury, not in productive investment. Second, those who had wealth and invested it in industries could not compete with big multinational companies. The big fish gobbled up small ones. Third, the focus was on centralized investment, not on collective investment. Although the political system has changed and the country has become a republic, the vestiges of feudal order are still evident. As a result, foreign capitalists have become more powerful and Nepal’s own entrepreneurs have not received proper support and protection from the state. If these things are corrected, Nepal can move toward true industrialization. 

 

Professionally, there are two broad categories: physical laborers and mental laborers. And there is a big difference between those who work in the multinational companies and those who work in national companies and others who are self-employed. But in terms of political and economic rights, their situation is almost the same. 

 

Compared to workers in Europe and America, Nepali workers have no political rights. Their concerns are not raised at the state level. It is hard for them to sustain their livelihood in this age of galloping inflation. And remember, workers in Nepal do not have big demands. They want to educate their children in moderately standard schools, so that they can acquire modern education. They want to take their children to well-equipped hospitals when they fall ill. And they want a good shelter. Sadly, Nepali workers are deprived of even these basics. 

 

You are right. Nepal’s political struggle has its roots in labor movement. Take 1950’s anti-Rana movement. It started from Biratnagar Jute Mill, which finally ousted the Rana regime. I have found that the parties reach out to the laborers, peasants and people from the downtrodden class when they have to ignite political movements. But once political rights have been achieved they forget the workers. This trend continues to this day.

 

The state, of course. The state has to provide work opportunities as well as decent wages. 

You have to look at it from another angle too. If you compare South Asia with other countries in the world, it is the region where labor rights have been least protected. Take the recent case of building collapse in Bangladesh which caused the death of hundreds of laborers. This is a blot to whole of South Asia. Similar is the case in Pakistan. One third of the poor population of the world lives in India. Workers don’t have easy lives anywhere in South Asia. Everywhere, they are living like bonded slaves.

 

You may be hinting at KFC shutdown last August. Let me make it clear: In KFC, we had merely asked that our right to form unions and associations as per Nepal’s laws be respected. It was the management that decided to shut the company. If some company closes just because we ask for our just rights, we are not to blame.

 

I never said that. But one cannot hold trade union responsible for the failure of the state. Of course, there are problems with trade unions. Some of the union leaders sell their loyalty to the management board and betray their colleagues. Such activities of few leaders defame trade unions. 

 

Such tussles are universal. There are two ways to solve it. One, through dialogue. But this can solve the problem only temporarily. To solve it in the long term, there should be participation of workers in the both process of production and distribution. So far the workers are used only for production. They should be given distribution responsibilities as well. But I am hopeful that the unfairness in distribution will end one day. The awareness level among workers is high and modern communication technology has turned the whole world into a global village. This is creating a base for equitable distribution. 

 

First, there should be a national economic policy. This policy should be devised by identifying the kind of industries that can sustain and grow and compete with other companies. Then the policy should determine who should be allowed to invest and who not. Second, to support that policy the state has to produce skilled human resources. If we can produce skilled laborers they can live dignified lives wherever they work, at home or abroad. Third, the rights of the trade unions have to be ensured at the policy making level. Fourth, their professional issues should be addressed. If we can achieve these four things, trade unions will be free from controversies and the state can benefit from its labor force. But for all this, the current state structure should be changed. 

 

Not city centric, not the one like we have today that serves the interests of the wealthy upper-classes.

 

There will be rallies and we will hold mass meetings in major cities. In Kathmandu, we will conduct a program at Basantapur. 

 

I understand May Day celebration won’t have any meaning if it is observed just for the heck of it. This day provides an opportunity to identify problems facing the workers. Besides, such celebrations keep the workers alert and informed about their rights. The popularity of the day is rising. And there is a growing concern worldwide that the day should be remembered as the day when the laborers achieved their just rights.