RAMSHARAN PUDASAINI

Demanding immediate enforcement of the newly agreed minimum remuneration, workers affiliated to the UCPN (Maoist) have announced to shut operations of five factories in Hetauda Industrial Estate from Tuesday.

Organizing a press conference here on Monday, officials of All Nepal Industrial Workers´ Trade Union (ANIWTU) - the trade union of UCPN (Maoist) - said they would shut operations of Unique Soap, Ganga Soap, National Soap -- from where multinational company Unilever sources some products, Antartic Biscuit and Super Lamicoats.

“We were compelled to take the decision as series of talks held with top management of these factories failed to reach a breakthrough,” Bishnu Rana, president of the trade union, said.

After consultation with employers and trade unions, the government had enforced minimum remuneration in the second week of June. Publishing a notice in the Gazette, the government had enforced monthly remuneration of Rs 8,000, including Rs 2,900 allowance, and a daily wage of Rs 318.

Rana said they would shut operations of only those firms that are not providing minimum remuneration fixed by the government. Talks between the agitating workers and representatives of those five factories ended inconclusive on Sunday. The agitating workers have also given a seven-day ultimatum to Ek Narayan Aryal, Chief District Officer of Makawanpur, to implement the minimum remuneration in those five companies. “Though existing laws stipulate that our salary will be reviewed every two years, it is unfortunate that we have to announce strike to get remuneration fixed by the government,” added Rana.

Meanwhile, Rishi Ram Lamichhane of Hetauda Industries Association -- a representative body of industries operating in Hetauda Industrial Estate, said the Maoist trade unions are putting pressure to raise the salary of workers who are already drawing more than what the government has fixed.

Published on: 24 July 2013 | Republica