Where is the space for Working class: GEFONTcelebrate May Day grandly

Posted On - 01/05/2012

 May 01- GEFONT has celebrated 123rd International Labour Day by organising workers rally, mass meetings and various programmes with  a theme "working class inclusion''throughout the country. 

GEFONT rally in Kathmandu was started from Sundhara  at 11 am converged into Mass Meeting at  meeting at  Bhrikuti Mandap. Marking the occasion in rally participants chanted the slogans - International May Day Long Live! Holding play cards of various demands like guarantee for social security, Decent Work for Decent life, trade union rights, Ratify ILO convention No.87, Long Live Workers Unity ! 10 % representation of Trade Union in people representative bodies of the state,bring pro-Worker constitution on time and so on in the rally. 

Addressing the Mass Meeting as a Chief Guest former prime minister and president of CPN(UML)Com. Jhal Nath Khanal said “ Workers of all over the world  is celebrating the may day as their festival, We can remember this day as a victory against all kind of  violation, suppression on Workers. We are in the process of transformation. Nepal is in transitional phase but we have gained significant achievement during this juncture. We have to move ahead by institutionalize our achievement through constitution. The Major task is to bringing peace process to logical end and making constitution in  time."

Chief Guest further added" from its inception CPN(UML) has been fighting for the Freedom of Association so we respect the right of the workers and  will initiate to ratify ILO convention no.87. Chief Guest expressed the commitment for the  establishment  social security system and representation of workers in every structure of the state."

Emphasis on the issue raised by GEFONT, Chief Guest said  that  CPN (UML) strongly support  the issue - establish the Labour inspection system, formation of Labour Commission and Employment summit.

In his presidential address Cde. Bishnu Rimal President of GEFONT said” Last year, when we were celebrating the May Day, one of the our main agenda was ratification of ILO Convention no.87,still we are raising this issue. We are celebrating May Day not only in country but  also in abroad as a symbol of workers solidarity. We are also working jointly with JTUCC  in common agenda."

President further stated “As workers have been marginalised and under represented for a long, we want our participation in state bodies, so from today we will focus our voice with more energy on 10 % representation of workers in every representative bodies of the state.”

On the ocassion president also declared names of the distinguished  trade unionist for Madhav Neupane and Nuru Bangchhu Sherpa Memorial Award and names of children for the Ganga Devi Scholarship award as well. The awards will distribute on Karl Marx Memorial Day on May 05. 

Similarly, as a guest  Mr. Binod Kumar Chaudhary –President of CNI and  member of Constitution Assembly  said “May 1st is not only for Workers but also important for management as well. Production is going down day by day. We have to sit together and continue dialogue  in order to create new environment for the economic growth of the country. He also declared the award and request GEFONT to propose the best industrial ambassador who has contributed to establish the good relation between Workers and Employers".

On the occasion, Cde. Umesh Upadhya Secretary General Presented May Day declaration 2012 . In his presentation, Secretary General said" From this historical day Our work, our activities, our campaigns and our movement will specially focused on 10 % representation of workers in every representative bodies of the state, Ratification of ILO Convention 87, Social security for all through Social security Fund, Introduction and operation of labour Inspection system, National Labour Commission for prompt justice to the workers, Revision & formulation of Labour laws for labour market reform.

Similarly, Cde.Binda Pandey-member of ILo governing body said " Unity is the power. If you raised organised voice, it will easy to achieve the rights. Lets be organised to achieve fundamental rights- we are always with you. "

Various personalities including-Suresh Pradhan Acting President of FNCSI, Manish Agrawal member of FNCCI also addressed the Mass  Meeting. 

Various personalities including,Cde. Rameshwor Phuyal, Cde.Jitu Gautam from Federation of Nepal Indigenous Nationalities, Dr.Sharan KC from SASK, Mr.Rajendra Acharaya from UNI, Mr. Gupta Bahadur Shrestha –Executive member of Helping Hands Community Hospital had participated as guest in the mass meeting.

On the occasion,Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between  GEFONT and Helping Hands Community Hospital  and copy of agreement has been exchanged. Per as agreement, GEFONT members will get 50% discount in case to admit in hospital, 20% discount in treatment and 7% discount in medicines.

Cultural program with songs, and dances was organised on the occasion.

The program was conducted by Cde. Binod Shrestha- Senior vice President of GEFONT.

With high enthusiasm and working class spirit, May Day rallies and mass meetings  with other creative  programmes have been organized by various GEFONT Structures and Affiliates all over the Country  including major urban centres-  Dhangadi , Damak, Biratnagar, , Bara Dharan, Udayapur, Siraha, Dhanusha,  Pokhara, Butwal, Nepalgunj etc .