KATHMANDU: The Nepal Trade Union Congress has expressed serious concern over the government’s governance reform agenda that includes provisions to abolish trade unions.
Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the Congress stated that trade unions have played a significant role in the country’s political and social transformation, and scrapping them would be inappropriate.
President of the Congress, Yogendra Kumar Kunwar, said that the Constitution guarantees workers the fundamental right to form and participate in trade unions. Any attempt to ban or dissolve them would directly violate constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.
He warned that prohibiting or abolishing trade unions could restrict the labor movement and weaken democratic practices in the country.
Kunwar added that despite existing shortcomings within trade unions, efforts should focus on reform through social dialogue and collective bargaining, with a commitment to increasing productivity, ensuring quality production and services, and promoting decent work.
The Congress also demanded the immediate withdrawal of decisions that restrict organizational freedom, abolish the minimum wage board, and limit government advertisements to publication through state channels only.
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