Civil servants threaten protest over Federal Civil Service Act

KATHMANDU: Civil servants across Nepal are preparing to protest if their demands are not addressed in the Federal Civil Service Act currently under discussion in the Federal Parliament.

Employee unions and networks have urged the government to incorporate their concerns into the bill being reviewed by the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee.

Various national-level trade unions, including the Non-Gazetted Employees Protection Campaign and local employee networks, have already held discussions with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, ministers, and key officials, emphasizing the need for amendments.

Prakash Bhattarai, central secretary of the Nepal Civil Servants Union, stated that the morale of employees has significantly declined due to stagnation in promotions, job insecurity, and an opaque transfer system.

He said that many civil servants are forced to work in the same position for 18 to 20 years without promotion, while service security remains weak.

He also pointed out issues related to internal competition, problems created by the adjustment process, lack of inter-provincial transfers, and inadequate service facilities. According to him, these concerns must be addressed in the proposed Federal Civil Service Act.

Bhattarai said that employees who have completed five years of service should be promoted by one level and those who have served for 12 years should be promoted by two levels.

He also stressed the need to maintain internal competition at all levels while ensuring a fair system for promotions and transfers. He argued that the process of filling vacant positions should be revised, ensuring a transparent mechanism that benefits employees and enhances efficiency in service delivery.

He warned that if the act is issued without addressing the problems, interests, and demands of the employees, it will further weaken their morale and negatively impact public service.

He also cautioned that continued government inaction could lead to widespread frustration among employees, resulting in nationwide protests.