KATHMANDU: As teachers across the country continue their street protests for the 17th consecutive day, government employees have now also threatened to take to the streets if their demands regarding the Federal Civil Service Bill are ignored.
The United Trade Union Network, a coalition of national-level trade unions representing civil servants, submitted a joint memorandum to Ramhari Khatiwada, Chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives, on Friday. In the memo, they demanded that the bill be amended in line with their suggestions before being tabled in the House.
The union warned that if the government and parliament remain indifferent to their concerns, they will be compelled to launch protest programs.
“The bill should not be moved forward without a proper dialogue and consensus with national-level trade unions,” the statement read.
Among their key demands is a provision that would allow employees—already adjusted at the federal, provincial, and local levels under federal law—to revise their adjustment choice at least once. They also called for fair promotion mechanisms based on seniority, qualifications, and service-specific training, particularly for technical staff.
Another major demand is the permanent appointment of temporary and contract-based employees through limited internal competition, without imposing age restrictions. Those who cannot be made permanent should be granted gratuity benefits equivalent to those of permanent retirees, they said.
In response, committee chair Ramhari Khatiwada assured that the concerns of the employees will be incorporated and addressed when finalizing the bill. “We understand the significance of the employees’ roles and are committed to advancing the legislation after thorough consultation,” he stated.
The warning from the United Trade Union Network comes at a time when the government is already under pressure to resolve the ongoing teachers’ agitation, which has disrupted classes nationwide and affected traffic movement in Kathmandu due to road blockades around the Maitighar-New Baneshwor area.
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