KATHMANDU: Monthly wage workers at the state-owned Herbs Production and Processing Company have been protesting for 20 days, resulting in a halt in production for the past 10 days.
The workers have been protesting since Bhadra 24, demanding the implementation of the Social Security Fund, festival allowance and implementation of a ruling issued by the Labour Court, Bhaktapur.
As most of the protesting workers are from the production section, production at the company has been halted since Ashoj 5.
The workers initially reported for duty wearing black armbands from Bhadra 24. However, after the management allegedly hesitated to provide them with the same benefits as other employees, around 30 workers began staging a regular sit-in from Ashoj 5.
Susmita Gautam of Dolakha, who has worked at the company for 23 years, said she has not received social security benefits despite repeatedly drawing the company’s attention to the issue.
“We have not received service benefits despite working here for 23 years. Our pay is deducted for days we do not work. Our demands have not been addressed either. We have had to stage this sit-in hoping that something will be done,” she said.
Gautam said the workers want to return to work but will continue their sit-in until their demands are addressed.
Gautam and 21 other employees had filed applications with the Labour and Employment Office in Kathmandu on March 31, 2022 and June 22, 2022, respectively, seeking service benefits. The office ruled in favour of the workers on May 18, 2023.
The company then appealed the decision at the Labour Court in Bhaktapur. In May 2024, the court also ruled in favour of the workers, stating that they were entitled to the minimum monthly wage, provident fund, gratuity, sick leave and other employment benefits.
The workers have resumed their sit-in ahead of the festive season, accusing the company of failing to implement the court’s ruling and ignoring their demands. They report to work at 10 am and stage the sit-in during office hours.
They have also informed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, and the Labour and Employment Office in Teku about the issue.
The workers had also sent a letter to the company’s general manager on Bhadra 18, warning that they would launch further protests if their demands were not addressed.
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