GEFONT E-News Bulletin

GEFONT E-NEWS BULLETIN

No 23, May 08, 2012

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H I G H L I G H T S

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

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 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.

About GEFONT

General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) was established on 20th July 1989. As there was no union right in Nepal; GEFONT was launched underground.

GEFONT has 27 affiliates (as of April, 2009), which cover all three fields- the agriculture, industries and services; covering various sectors such as manufacturing, textiles and clothing, carpet industry, transport, hotels, restaurants and catering, tourism, printing, auto-mechanics, food production, breweries, chemical and metal industry, rickshaw pullers, tea plantations, street vendors, private school, hair dressers & beauticians, employees of security sector, thanka painting, tax- counselling, courier & cargo service, gold & jewellery work, construction and agriculture.

As a largest trade union Confederation in Nepal, GEFONT represents over 300,000 workers from all affiliates.

Over 33% women have been elected in National Executive Committee of GEFONT from its 5th National Congress.

GEFONT is one the founders of international trade union body- the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) established on November 2006. It has been elected in General Council both at International and Asia-Pacific Regional level from the founding Congress. GEFONT affiliates are affiliated with various Global Union Federations (GUFs).

C O N T E N T S

Life without Cause is a life without an effect : GEFONT distribute award to distinguished Trade Unionists
GEFONT joins hands with Helping Hands
GEFONT observes International Commemoration Day
May Day Organising Committee meeting conlcudes: GEFONT to celebrate May Day grandly
GEFONT president wishes New Year greeting!
News In Brief

Life without Cause is a life without an effect : GEFONT distribute award to distinguished Trade Unionists [top]

May 06 – GEFONT has distributed awards to the distinguished Trade Unionist for their valuable contribution in Trade union movement during the 'First award distribution ceremony' held in Alpha-Beta Complex Baneshwor, Kathmandu.

Two different awards had been established last year in the names of two founding members of GEFONT Late Cde. Nuru Wangchhu Sherpa and Late Cde. Madhav Neupane who contributed lot for achieving heights of the Federation.

GEFONT joins hands with Helping Hands [top]

May 01 - A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GEFONT and Helping Hands Community Hospital in order to provide treatment facilities for poor workers.

As per Agreement, GEFONT members and dependent family will get 50% discount in case to admit in hospital, 20% discount in treatment and 7% discount in medicines.

GEFONT observes International Commemoration Day [top]

April 28- General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) extends best wishes to all the workers working in both national and international workplaces for a healthy, respected and secured life on the occasion of International Commemoration Day.

Our major agenda is to strengthen the health safety and minimize the accidents to the zero level because health is one of the important labour rights.

May Day Organising Committee meeting conlcudes: GEFONT to celebrate May Day grandly [top]

April 20 - May Day organising committee meeting has been concluded in the premises of Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus Kathmandu. GEFONT has formed 319 members May Day organising committee under the coordination of Cde. Binod Shrestha, Senior Vice president of GEFONT.

In the Meeting, GEFONT President Cde. Bishnu Rimal said "From the beginning, GEFONT has been celebrating May 1st as historical day - to raise issue of working class, review of past and make plan for next year".

GEFONT president wishes New Year greeting! [top]

April 12- GEFONT President Cde Bishnu Rimal has extended his best wishes on the New Year eve. "From April 13, we Nepali are entering into New Nepal Year-2069 B.S." He further pointed- "What special may we have in this Year to wish and share?"

"As you know, we have long list in our 'menu'- the peace process has reached just in a final corner, it is yet to be concluded!" Cde Rimal says in his greetings- " The dateline of the constitution writing is rapidly approaching; remaining 45 days is too short to conclude many contentious issues."

News In Brief [top]

Nepali World of Work : at Audio - Video format

May 07 - From May Day 2012, GEFONT has started to publish weekly update World of Work in Audio and Video format. Previously, GEFONT was publishing in two language internet based information only. With the aim of making its work more transparent and publicly known- last year GEFONT also joined at social networking strings-Face Book, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. GEFONT is also sending weekly update in every week and e-news bulletin in every month.

May Day celebration at Mt Everest Base Camp

May 01 – 123rd International Labour Day has been celebrated at Mt. Everest Base Camp. Cde. Khatri Central committee member of GEFONT affiliates UNITRAV and other mountaineers addressed the programme.

In the programme participants chanted the slogans - International May Day Long Live! Long Live workers Unity and so on.

GEFONT release a press communique'

April 29 - GEFONT has released a press communiqué on the occasion of May Day 2012.

The communiqué reads “Whole year is elapsed after the May Day 2011 and we are on the eve of may Day 2012, Still there is no certainty of Conclusion of peace process and Adoption of New Constitution. Hence we are passing through a difficult transition. However in spite of political instability and disorders in Labour market & economic activities, we have conducted significant activities on rights, interest & welfare of workers.

Eighth NICIWU Udaypur Cement Industry Ltd. Conference concludes

April 19 – Eighth GEFONT affiliate- Nepal Independent Chemical & Iron Workers' Union (NICIWU) Udaypur Cement IndustryLtd. conference has been concluded in Udaypur.

The conference elected Cde. Jagarnath Chaudhary as new president and Cde. Radhe Kumar Koirala as new secretary. The conference has elected 17 members committee for next three years.

PABSEU in Nine years: Celebrates its 9th Anniversary

April 18 - Private and Boarding School Employees Unions(PABSEU) celebrated its 9th anniversary organising a gathering in Kathmandu.

The Program was inaugurated by Chief Guest Com. Bishnu Rimal, President of GEFONT.

"PABSEU which was established nine years before in the initiation of GEFON, has been working for the sake of dignified teaching profession, self-esteemed professionals, pious educational environment and quality education. PABSEU also conducting campaign on organising teachers and staff across the country." said President Cde. Bishnu Rimal.

Workshop on Organising Strategy concludes

April 15- Two days workshop on Organising strategy has been organised in Bhakatpur Guest House. The main objective of the workshop was to discuss to plan effective organising strategy and sharing the different National and International practices.

During the workshop, GEFONT President Bishnu Rimal briefed the different organising strategy & tools used in the past and lesson learned. The participants were asked to discuss best practices & lesson which could be suitable in the changing context.

NIHWU First Congress Delegates Council Meeting concludes

April 11 - Nepal Independent Hotel, Casino & Restaurant Workers' Union (NIHWU) First Congress Delegates Council Meeting has been concluded in Kathmandu.

The meeting was Presided by Cde.Bishnu Lamsal, Chief of NIHWU Congress Delegates Council.

In the Meeting, as a chief guest Cde. Bishnu Rimal, President of GEFONT analysed the present political situation of Nepal and highlighted Trade Union campaign on Social Security and working class inclusion.

New leadership in Qatar: First GSG Qatar conference concludes

April 6 – First GEFONT Support Group Qatar Conference has been concluded. The Conference elected Cde.Dhak Singh Magar as new President and Cde. Dilli Bahadur Khadka as new Secretary. The conference has elected 9 members GEFONT Support Group Qatar.

From its very inception, for the protection and rights of the Nepali Migrant Workers, GEFONT has been organising Nepali Migrant workers through GEFONT Support Group. In many destination countries including Malasia, Japan, South Korea, Hongkong and India, GEFONT Support Group has been working actively for the welfare of Nepali Migrant workers in coordination of Local unions.

Sixth CUPPEC central Committee Meeting concludes

April 09 – Sixth Central Union of Painters, Plumbers, Electro and Construction Workers-Nepal (CUPPEC) central Committee Meeting has been concluded. The Meeting held at Man Mohan Labor Building was Presided by Cde. Naranath Luitel, President of CUPPEC.

The meeting has reviewed first delegates council meeting held in pokhara. The meeting has also evaluated of previous year and adopted new annual work plan for next year.