Nepal Independent Workers' Union (NIWU) <Top>

With peoples' movement of 1979, the struggling workers and their leaders established Nepal Independent Workers' Union - NIWU after Kathmandu meeting in January 1980. This union is the pioneer one, covering workers mainly in manufacturing establishments. This is the first Federation of 300 local unions, registered at the office of the Registrar. In the beginning it was like a mainstream of workers from diverse nature of employment, but during the succeeding years, gradually workers started to form separate unions based on the nature of job. GEFONT also promoted such type of restructuring of the unions. Now, it is a general union of manufacturing establishments.
The footwear section of this is union has been affiliated with ITGLWF.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 309 E-mail: niwu@gefont.org

Independent Textile & Garment Workers' Union of Nepal (ITGWUN) <Top>

Garment workers of Nepal were organised under NIWU in the beginning, but a separate union of the garment workers was needed. Therefore, a convention held in 1986, ultimately formed Independent Garment Workers' Union of Nepal. Nowadays, it has been registered at the office of the Registrar and working as a leading federation in this sector. In the course of union restructuring campaign of GEFONT, the Department of jute, textile and spinning of the NIWU and IGWUN merged in October 1997 and came into existence the new organisation - Independent Textile - Garment Workers Union of Nepal (ITGWUN).
The ITGWUN is one of the affiliates of Global Union Federations- the ITGLWF.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 302 E-mail: itgwun@gefont.org

Independent Transport Workers' Association of Nepal (ITWAN) <Top>

ITWAN is the union of transport workers covering automobile drivers, cleaners, conductors, syndicate staffs etc. as an heir to the former Nepal Drivers Union, established in 1951. ITWAN was founded by the convention of the transport workers held in June, 1980. It is the only national federation, which has its own social security system.
The ITWAN is newer Nepali affiliates of Global Union Federations- the ITF.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 306 E-mail: itwan@gefont.org

Nepal Independent Carpet Workers' Union(NICWU) <Top>

A large number of most scattered and exploited Carpet weavers formed their union just after the establishment of multiparty system. In May 1990, it was established with an aim to end atrocity of the management and to protect their rights. NICIWU is also one of the affiliates of Global Union Federations- the ITGLWF.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 201 E-mail: nicwu@gefont.org

Nepal Independent Hotel Workers' Union (NIHWU): <Top>

NIHWU is the union of workers engaged in Hotels, Restaurant, Catering service, ranging from small tea/coffee shops to renowned 'Star' Hotels. It was established in 1981. NIHWU is the union, which has been handling a number of enterprise level movements every year. It has successfully organised many national level movements, latest one is successful movement to levy 10% service charge in HRCT sectors.
The NIHWU is one of the largest affiliates of Global Union Federations- the IUF.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 303 E-mail: nihwu@gefont.org

Union of Trekking, Travels and Rafting Workers - Nepal (UNITRAV) <Top>

Trekking workers are those engaged in hard works as porters and guides to trekkers and mountaineers. No regime in the past honoured the contribution of these dedicated trekking workers. The Trekking Workers Association of Nepal was founded in April 1983 as the only federation of its kind in the country. The Union of Trekking Travels and Rafting Workers - Nepal is a new name after restructuring TWAN. It has been restructured in accordance with the GEFONT policy of line Industry Federation Campaign. TWAN had convened its first national conference in underground existence in 1984 during the period of autocratic regime. Now the Union has covered the entire mass of workers from travels and rafting sector along with the large number of trekking & mountaineering workers.
The UNITRAV is another affiliate of Global Union Federation- the IUF.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 301 E-mail: unitrav@gefont.org; URL: www.unitrav.org

Independent Tea-plantation Workers Union of Nepal (ITPWUN) <Top>

Confined particularly to Eastern Nepal, the exploited tea plantation workers are unionised under this federation. It was formed in May 1990 by the workers of the tea estates to safeguard their rights and interest.
The ITPWUN is also the affiliate of IUF.

Tel: + 977-23- 54 05 63 E-mail: itpwun@gefont.org

Independent Press Workers' Union of Nepal (IPWUN) <Top>

The IPWUN is the union of workers working in printing industry. It was founded in 1980 by a Kathmandu Valley conference. The union nowadays is wide spreading all over the country.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 202 E-mail: ipwun@gefont.org

Nepal Auto-Mechanics Trade Union (NATU) <Top>

This union is dedicated to the workshop workers, who repair automobiles and motorbikes. NATU is the only union of its kind. It came into existence by merging two separate national federations related to automobile sector as well as motorbike repairing workshop. It was established in April 1993 and is registered as a National Federation at the office of the Registrar.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 309 E-mail: natu@gefont.org

Central Union of Painters, Plumbers, Electro and Construction Workers-Nepal (CUPPEC) <Top>

CUPPEC-Nepal is the national federation of informal sector workers. It has been founded by amalgamating three registered national federations of painters, plumbers and electro-workers and one non-registered federation of construction workers. It is a common umbrella of in-house builders and wood workers. CUPPEC-Nepal is one of the important national affiliates of GEFONT.
Since May 19, 1999, this union has been affiliated with the BWI.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 307 E-mail: cuppec@gefont.org

Independent Garbage Cleaners' Union of Nepal (IGCUN) <Top>

Forced to live a desperate life and cleaning all dirt on traditional or caste basis, these garbage cleaners are the oppressed ones who were discarded and disregarded by all regimes of the past. Being in the lowest caste strata, they are deprived of education, too. Therefore in order to fight the feudal ill-tradition and ill-culture, and for the attainment of their class interests and welfare, the IGCUN was founded in June 1990 as a GEFONT affiliate.
The IGCUN is another affiliate of ICEM.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 205 E-mail: igcun@gefont.org

Nepal Rikshaw Pullers' Union (NRPU) <Top>

Nepal Rickshaw Pullers' Union was established in late 1996 having over ten thousand membership. NRPU is a strongest federation in this kind.

Tel: + 977-21-52 73 21

Independent Food & Beverage Workers' Union (NIFBWU)<Top>

Independent Food & Beverage Workers Union of Nepal is an outcome of the union restructuring policy of GEFONT adopted by the Second National Congress. Originated from the old and previously largest federation NIWU, this is comparatively a new federation but with the experienced union workers and leaders. Its first congress was convened on 26-27 February 1999.
The NIFBWU is one of the four affiliates of Global Union Federations- the IUF in GEFONT family.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 305 E-mail: infbu@gefont.org

Independent Chemical - Iron Workers Union of Nepal (NICIWU) <Top>

As the outcome of the GEFONT policy of union restructuring, enterprises related to chemical and iron works were separated from Nepal Independent Workers Union and this new federation Nepal Independent Chemical &Iron Workers Union was declared in October 1997. Its first National Conference was concluded in 11-13 March 1999.
Since June 4, 1999, this union has been affiliated with ICEM.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 304 E-mail: niciwu@gefont.org

Federation Of Agricultural Workers, Nepal (FAWN) <Top>

In Nepal, only the tea plantation workers were organised, but the vast majority of agricultural & farm workers - tillers, cattle-herders, casual workers, land less agri-workers and wage dependent small land - holders are unorganised, who live in rural areas. GEFONT felt that trade union movement should organise and mobilise the vast majority of rural agricultural wage earners. After its 2nd National Congress, GEFONT started moves to the rural areas, make them aware of their rights and to mobilise them in the long-run struggle for their benefits and interest. Finally, GEFONT succeeded to make agri-worker's organisation in 31 districts and organised a national gathering. The date and venue was 19-21 Sept. 1996 in Kathmandu. This program adopted an interim ordinance for a new federation named, Federation of Agricultural Workers, Nepal (FAWN). Now it has concluded its first National Congress in 1-3 January 2000. Bonded kamaiyas were previously organised in Kamaiya Liberation Forum Nepal and now they are unionised within FAWN.

Tel: + 977-57- 52 13 83

Private and Boarding School Employees Unions (PABSEU) <Top>

This is the only associated federation of GEFONT. Organised in early 2003; PABSEU is struggling for sufficient membership to be registered in the registrar office. This union aims to enrol all teaching and clerical staffs from all private and boarding schools.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 207 E-mail: pabseu@gefont.org

Nepal Street Vendors’ Union (NEST) <Top>

This union has been registered as 87th National federation in Department of labour. This union covers those self-employed poor who sell goods in the street of cities and market places. It has around 3,000 members.
This federation is recently affiliated with international net-work Street-net International.

Tel: + 977-1-4 24 80 72 Ext: 206 E-mail: nest@gefont.org

Nepal Barbers' Trade Union (NEBT) <Top>

This federation in GEFONT family has been registered after February 1st Royal Coup of 2005. It covers those particular workers who are engaged in Hair dressing and beauty parlour. It was registered as 109th National Federation on 2005 with a signature member of 6084.

 

Nepal Thanka Artists' Union (NTAU) <Top>

Thanka Painting is one of the traditional art professions in Nepal and this product is generally purchased by the international tourists. In this profession thousands of skilled-personals are involved. However, they are cheated by middle-persons. In order to address this problem GEFONT has launched new affiliates in this sector- the Nepal Thanka Artists' Union (NTAU) as the 125 National federations in the country with a membership 820

Nepal Security Service Trade Union (NSSTU) <Top>

A debate whether the security service persons should have trade union rights came in a logical conclusion when GEFONT formed such union in one of the multinational- Group-4 Securitas, which is supplying the Security Guard. This initiation further gave birth of new national federation- Nepal Security Service Trade Union (NSSTU), which is register as 127th national federation in the country.

Nepal Courier & Cargo Trade Union (NCCTU) <Top>

Replacing traditional mail service, just after the introduction of liberalisation policies various courier & cargo service providing companies came in operation from the private sector. In order to organise workers working in this particular business GEFONT's new affiliates Nepal Courier & Cargo Trade Union (NCCTU) has been launched with individual membership of 645 and registered as per Trade Union Act as 140th National federation in the country.

Tax Consular Workers' Organisation of Nepal (COWNT) <Top>

There are number of workers in casual basis working in Nepal as the aid of the government's tax office. They however, ignored and often forgotten by the concerned sectors. In order to address this problem an initiation has been began at September 2006 and launched a typical union Tax Consular Workers' Organisation of Nepal (COWNT). Finally the union is registered as 147th federation at March 2007.

Nepal Independent Domestic Workers Union (NIDWU) <Top>

Nepal Independent Domestic Workers Union (NIDWU) is the 161st federation in the country, where workers working as the domestic helpers in various individuals are unionized. There are around 150, 000 such workers in the country. This sector is mainly dominated by child labourers; a fact- only in Kathmandu, 20 out of 100 house has domestic child labour is an alarming figure. This union is aiming to address unionization problem of domestic worker as well to address child labour problem in this sector.

Nepal Home-based Workers Union (NEHWU) <Top>

NEWU is the latest GEFONT affiliates registered as 165th federation in the country. This Federation has 1030 members during registration is also known as union of out-sourced workers. The nature of this federation is mainly women dominated and self-employed in another sense.

 

Gold & Silver-work Trade Union of Nepal (GOSITUN) <Top>

GOSITUN is the latest GEFONT affiliates with typical characteristics. It has highly qualified members working in ornament-making business and some significant section of members are from socalled untouchable- Dalit community.

Nepal Petroleum Workers Union (NEPWU) <Top>

This union is recently registered and granted affiliation by GEFONT from latest NEC meeting as the youngest national Affiliates

Central Women Workers' Department (CWWD) <Top>

Besides, there is a special department of GEFONT- Central Women Workers' Department (CWWD) that covers the woman workers of all the national affiliates. In order to encourage active participation and leadership of woman workers, it was established in 1990 and enjoying a status equivalent to a national federations

 

Further, Nepali migrant workers working in different countries have been started to organise under GEFONT-Support Groups as per decision of GEFONT Second National Congress. GEFONT-Support Groups are coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs; the Migrant section is its operating agency. GEFONT-Support Groups are functioning in various countries.