High level Trade Union delegation visits SAARC secretariat

Posted On - 05/07/2012

July 05 - A high level delegation of Nepali Trade Unions on behalf of SAARC Trade Union Council Kathmandu office visited SAARC secretariat office in Kathmandu.

The delegation consisting of GEFONT president Cde.Bishnu Rimal, Mr. Laxman Basnet, president of NTUC-I, Cde. Umesh Upadhyaya Secretary General of GEFONT and Cde. Ramesh Badal secretary- department of foreign affairs GEFONT paid courtesy call to SAARC Secretary General His Excellency Ahmed SALEEM and requested to involve Trade unions as social partners in various official and formal programmes and activities.

Trade unions are very much concern with various SAARC conventions and agreement and wanted to contribute positively in realizing those conventions. Many civil society formations such as Business, Industry, Scientific Community, NGOs are part of SAARC process but workers and their organization are not included in those process so far.

Recognisation of Employers, Writers, Journalists and other various SAARC level bodies by SAARC Secretariat has been very important for effective address to the issue of the people in SAARC countries. Considering the role of Trade Unions in Social transformation and economic development, official recognition of Trade Union bodies will be significant for effective implementation of SAARC decision in days to come. 

The discussion with SAARC Secretary General has been fruitful and delegation is satisfied with positive indication.

South Asian Trade Union Council (SARTUC) has opened its contact office in Kathmandu recently. SATUC represents more that 90 percent of organized workforce in five South Asian Countries. The main aim of SATUC is to represent collective voice of South Asian workers.