Home> GEFONT in Brief

GEFONT IN BRIEF

GENERAL FEDERATION OF NEPALESE TRADE UNIONS (GEFONT)

• Introduction
• Our Vision
• Our Mission
• Our History
• Our Past Activities
• GEFONT in Action
• Our Membership
• Structure
  

:: INTRODUCTION <TOP>

General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) was established on 20th July 1989. Before that time GEFONT was working underground since unions were not permitted in Nepal.

GEFONT has 26 affiliated (as of December 30, 2007) federations, Which cover the different 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, employees of security sector, thanka painting, courier & cargo service, Construction and agriculture.

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

GEFONT is one the founders of international trade union body- the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) established on November 2006. It has status of second substitute in International General Council and Titular and the Second substitute position in the Asia-Pacific Regional General Council. GEFONT affiliates are affiliating with various GUFs.

It has various departments including a special department for promotion of gender equality – the Central Women Workers' Department (CWWD). The overall objective of the GEFONT is to work to secure workers' rights and better living and working conditions.

:: OUR VISION <TOP>

Vision statement: Socialism for the Dignified Working Class and Prosperous Life

Still feudal production relations are dominant in our society. Thus, the character of Nepali society is a semi-feudal. Sustainable peace, Stability and Class- based inclusive-participatory democracy are three major aspects that GEFONT wants in Nepal. For the prosperous life of working class socialism is must.

:: OUR MISSION <TOP>

GEFONT has the following Missions:

• To end present political transition as soon as possible, for this, working closely with the Alliance of Political parties who were fighting and are working for establishment of Loktantra (fully-fledged Democracy)
• To establish Democratic Republic
• To restructure present central-petal State into a federal democratic republic; for this, stepping-up the campaign of immediate election of Constituent Assembly
• To launch a Single Unionism and strengthen the role of the working class in social movement in order to establish working-class influence over politics and the political parties
• To build awareness in working class on rights and responsibilities
• To eliminate feudal production relations
• To be active for international solidarity of working classes against capitalist globalisation

:: OUR HISTORY <TOP>

The history of Nepalese trade union movement goes back to 1947. The formation of All Nepal Trade Union Congress (ANTUC), reorganised in 1950, was the first trade union federation in Nepal. This federation could not exist after 1960, when autocratic Panchayat System was forcefully imposed and unions along with political parties were banned.

After 19 years of continuous repression, in 1979, a historical mass movement gave rise to more than half a dozen trade unions. But, because of lack of enough co-ordination and understanding among trade unions of different sectors, the formation of a National Centre could not be possible. Finally, an initiative was undertaken on July 20, 1989, which ultimately gave birth to GEFONT to be formally registered as the FIRST National Trade Union Confederation in the country in 1992.

OUR HISTORICAL FOOTSTEPS

:: OUR PAST ACTIVITIES <TOP>

1. Trade union Education Campaign

GEFONT's education campaign - the TRUE Campaign - launched on 1993, was basically concentrated on trade union and workers education. There were some initiatives started on Literacy campaign in some parts of workplace as well. Backed by 'Mobile Trade Union School' since 1994, this campaign has been further enhanced through need based training for leadership development, training programmes on basic and contemporary trade union issues. The latest move ahead on workers education is Study Circle as a new method of education campaign since 3rd National Congress. TOT to the trainers has been another mentionable methodological organ of our education system.

2. Organisational expansion and mobilisation

The Second National Congress in 1992 had adopted a programme of forming a giant trade union movement through the expansion of GEFONT into rural and agricultural sectors. Within the previous tenures, GEFONT has entered this sector, by forming the Federation of Agriculture Workers-Nepal (FAWN) targeting to organise a vast majority of the work force in informal sectors. This Federation is an outcome of our campaign started since 1995 in order to relinquish the bonded agricultural labourers popularly known as Kamaiyas. Moreover, GEFONT became successful to organise Construction sectors and the Street Vendors as well.
Re-organising some large federations has become necessary because of the diversities in the nature of industries and occupations. The Campaign for Line Industry Federation has been completed late 1997 by restructuring various affiliates.

3. Social security campaign

In this age of neo-liberal globalisation Employers are in demand for 'hire and fire' and are trying to treat labour as a commodity totally ignoring the human element. Against this, GEFONT is demanding continuously for a comprehensive package of social protection covering both formal & informal economy.

So far the direct contribution of GEFONT is concerned, an 'Emergency Fund Scheme' was designed & launched on December 10, 1994 for the assistance and welfare of workers on strikes, in injuries or victimised by other genuine problems. Now GEFONT Activist Welfare Fund has replaced the Emergency Fund Scheme.

Further, the issue of Occupational Safety & Health has been given high priority as an agenda connected to social protection. Now through the Joint Board between GEFONT and NTUC this campaign is getting momentum.

4. Workers' co-operatives for collectivism

We believe that Socialism is not an abstract concept, but a continuous journey for the attainment of certain goals. It is the working direction of our life. Having several hit-and-trial exercises, GEFONT came at a point to launch a Health Co-operative.

5. Campaign for an effective implementation of labour laws

In spite of some drawbacks, there are various pro-worker provisions in existing labour laws yet to be implemented. Legal service in Nepal is quite expensive and beyond the access of labourers. As a result, workers are financially helpless to fight their cases in the court. Thus, GEFONT has been providing free legal service to the needy ones. Besides, pressure campaigns are continued for effective implementation of labour laws and to denounce the unfair labour practices at workplace.

Realising the necessity of planned struggles in grass root levels, issues like privatisation, contract labour, sub contracting, Job security, wage-increase and other pertinent economic demands have been taken up.

6. Campaign for woman workers

GEFONT has been gearing up Woman Workers' Campaign since 1992. There are several issues related to woman workers. Discriminatory and conservative practices based on Gender have created so many complexities that entrap workingwomen in a manner incomparable with their male counterparts.

As woman workers cover a large portion of the labour force in Nepal, it is felt as a dire need to 'feminize' trade union movement. In order to ensure increasing and higher participation of woman workers in the movement, GEFONT is mobilising with the slogan "Equal participation Not Mere Representation". Further, inclusion of gender issues with due emphases on the union movement with 'gender sensitive union cadres', policy of 25% women in all activities and 25% of men in women focused activities has been carried out. A special programme of gender mainstreaming in the union movement addressing this sentiment is continued.

7. Development of a unified trade union movement

The trade union movement should move forward by leading all wage earners of formal as well as informal sectors covering agriculture, manufacturing and services under the single umbrella. GEFONT is taking high initiatives to develop a unified trade union movement.

After the formation of a 'high level task force' in November 2000 between GEFONT and NTUC, a series of meetings and interactions led to the decision of the formation of NTUC-GEFONT Board. The Board is working as a political body between two Confederations. A Joint Secretariat office inaugurated on April 28, 2004 supported by the Danish Trade Union Movement LO/FTF is in operation now.

8. Involvement in the issues of social concern

GEFONT has involved itself in various social issues in recent years. In order to fulfil social responsibility of the trade unions, the GEFONT has been concentrating to eliminate exploitative labour practices such as Child labour, Forced & bonded labour and discrimination based on gender-occupation-caste/ethnicity. GEFONT has been involved to some extent on the issue of social malpractices and consumer rights.

9. Action research and policy intervention

Policy intervention is one of the key areas of GEFONT activities. During the past glorious years, policy intervention and struggle for policy achievements have been launched continuously and achievements have been inspiring. With special emphasis on National Labour Policy, GEFONT contributed lots of its efforts since 1996. This resulted into the government declaration of a national labour policy. GEFONT has developed a number of policy documents during the decade long campaigns.

10. Foreign employment and programme for migrant workers

Since globalisation has expedited a worldwide mobility of capital, we press for the internationalisation of labour. As rich countries export capital, so the countries with surplus labour deserve every right to export labour. Since Nepal has surplus labour, our movement aims to have a policy to restrict labour import.

Thus, GEFONT set a policy for the migrant Nepali workers through formation of GEFONT Support Groups in various countries. Priorities has been given to sensitise Embassies, Diplomatic Missions and Labour Attachés for the protection of rights and interests of migrant Nepali workers; to update information and, on its basis, safeguard their interests through solidarity and friendly relations with concerned trade union movement.

11. Development of international relation

For extension and development of international relations, activities have been focused to continue and strengthen the friendly relationship with all trade unions and promote bilateral as well as multilateral relations. A policy emphasis of active involvement in international networking in general and South Asian level in particular has been the priority of GEFONT.

In this context, GEFONT has successfully organised an International Trade Union Conference (ITUC) on ' Economic Liberalisation and Pro-worker Trade Unionism ' From December 10-14, 1994 in Kathmandu. Similarly, GEFONT has organised South Asian Regional Conference of women trade unionists on "Identifying a Common Agenda for a Better South Asia", in Kathmandu on March 15-17, 2003.

GEFONT is continuously campaigning for the creation of "Single international trade union centre". Similarly in a continental level, " Single regional trade union network" and in the sub-regional level, " Single sub-regional network." GEFONT is also actively advocating South-South Unity among the pro-worker movements in the Southern hemisphere with the support of the trade union movement of the 'North'.

12. Programme for human resource development

The demand for skilled human resource is increasing with the expansion of our movement. GEFONT has classified its human resource needs for organisational-administrative works, ideological-political works and projects-schemes related works. In order to fulfil these needs, GEFONT has been providing different types of training to its rank-n-file.

13. Joining hands with political parties for social transformation

Just a trade union movement does not suffice to achieve an overall social and societal change. To accomplish its Vision and Mission, GEFONT has realised an inevitability of partnership with political parties. Thus, GEFONT has been involved in various political actions hand-in-hand with political parties.

14. Labour Building Campaign

With an aim to construct its own building, GEFONT has launched a Campaign for Labour Building Construction. The labour building is not merely an office of GEFONT, but a symbol of dignity and unity of the working class of Nepal. The project has completed with a building inaugurated on May 1, 2000.

:: GEFONT IN ACTION <TOP>

PLAN OF ACTION

1. Partnership with political parties for social transformation:

• Continue partnership with political parties for the restoration of democracy, peace and social advancement.
  
• Launch political education campaign by forming 'socialist study group' at all level of trade unions- local, district, regional and central.
  

2. Education campaign:

• Develope separate curriculum for the formal, informal & self-employed workers in order to systematise Trade Union Education
  
• Develope separate curriculum for target groups - grass-root workers, cadres and leaders in order to provide political & issue-based education
  
• Emphasis to develop issuewise-experts and continue the ongoing educational activities
  

3. Organisational expansion and mobilisation:

• Consolidate regional and zonal structures
  
• Activate organizational mobility through division of work into policy making and field mobilisation.
  
• Centralise the labour force at regional and central level and mobilise at least 5 times a year as given below.
  

  • May 1: Kathmandu-based (International Labour Day)
    
  • November 20: Regional level (International Child Rights Day)
    
  • December 18: Regional Level (International Migrant Workers Day)
    
  • March 8: Kathmandu-based (International Working Women's Day)
    
  • April 28: Regional Level (International Day for commomoration of accident victims)
    
• Actively involve in the implementation of the common 7-point proposal (Social Security, Labour Flexibility, Exit Policy, Gender Issue, Labour Administration, Trade Union & CBA and Informal sector) for the amendment of labour law and its enforcement in the light of the principle of "the more social security, the more flexible labour market."
  

4. One union campaign

• Continue the efforts to develop a labour parliament or a similar structure to bring into practice One Union, One Voice.
  

5. Involvement in issues of social concern

Undertake following programmes to add socio-political dimension to trade union movement

a. Class-based programmes
b. Programmes against social discrimination
c. Programmes against superstitions & social ill-practices
d. Support the movements of consumer rights

6. Social security and worker cooperatives movement

a. Give continuity to GEFONT Health Cooperatives campaign
b. Conduct feasibility study for the operation of other types of cooperatives
c. Start Activist Welfare Fund
d. Consolidate the Welfare Fund for Woman workers

7. Women Worker Campaign

• Strengthen the existing policy with the aim to increase the participation of women by at least 5 percent plus in various levels from the current position of 15% in total.
  

8. Human resource development programmes

• Give emphasis on the development of technical Human Resource
  
• Focus on the development of vocational-professional work force
  
• Focus on the development of politically capable leading forcce
  

9. Programme of the development of international relations

• Collaborate with different international trade union centres with a view to go ahead for one international trade union centre in days to come.
  
• Promote the respective affiliates to affiliate with appropriate global union federations, and collaborate with them
  
• Engage in regional and international alliances on the basis of South-South Cooperation.
  

10. Research, policy intervention, publicity and publication

• Undertake research & studies on contemporary and burning labour issues
  
• Publish the research reports and findings
  
• Use various alternative media for the publicity work
  

11. Unionisation of the informal sector

Take initiatives for unionisation campaign in the following sectos in addition to agriculture and construction sectors.

• Shaloon
  
• Home-based workers
  
• Gold and silver workers
  
• Couriers and carriers
  
• Professional artists
  
• Service sector (coperatives and finance)
  
• Nursing
  
• Security services
  

12. Financial Self-Reliance Programmes

THEMATIC ACTIVITIES developed in the changed context

1. Political education:

Nepal's political situation is still fluid and is in a realm of high instability. As transition has been lengthy and actors are not fair in the game of collective maximisation and sharing of benefits in countries like ours, high awareness on right-base and confidence building for longer fights is inevitable. Thus, Trade union movement in Nepal has to achieve better understanding on on-going issues such as Loktantra (Fully-flagged Democracy), constituent assembly and related procedural matters, election system, restructuring of Nation-State which is currently failed to address sentiments of diversity of Nepal’s multilingual, multi caste-ethnicity and geographical ground realities. Similarly for a smooth development of participatory inclusive-democracy, the issues of Participation, Representation & ownership from workers perspective is necessary to be discussed among the activists and masses.

In addition, in a country such as ours, every political party prefers to operate one separate labour wing working as its own “trade union”. It has crated lots of confusion and illusion with regards to build independent trade union movement. Thus, the clarity about the independent nature of trade unions has to be made public through several measures. Politicians primarily should know about the significance of independent trade unionism and the entire working class and the society should become aware of real link between politics, political parties and trade unions.

Therefore political education to the rank & file & to the working masses in the trade union movement and to political parties, parliamentarians and civil society leaders on the other hand is an urgent need.

2. Workers education:

Worker education is still an extremely important issue in Nepal, which covers various issues of world of work both in a general frame and technical frame; and naturally focuses into existing unfair/ exploitative labour practices. The workers' education mainly will focus on fundamental principle on right at work, trade union functions & union management, gender issue, social security, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), collective bargaining, basic know-what on Trade Union rights/human rights, and other contemporary & burning issues. It is still necessary to conduct workers education programmes intensively in central level of GEFONT & its affiliates and in local levels such as zones & districts.

Applying various teaching/training tools in action such as study circle methods, using various means such as Audio/Video/Radio/TV/internet and others, GEFONT aims to cover entire nation in a grass-root scale with full coverage of enterprises/workplaces through its structures and network.

3. Core union work– organising & mobilising:

With increased adverse effects of speedy globalisation and fast changing pattern of employment basically unfavourable to the workers, GEFONT to pay high emphasis to Membership drive and widening up of the domain of unionism. There are several pattern of employment in Nepal which general is trapping towards regime of poverty. In Nepal big chunk of labour force is employing in irregular basis with verbal contract. Contractual agreement through labour suppliers and middlepersons, casual and labour in hourly basis, using flexi-time such as break duty and shift, seasonal and outsourcing are some of the examples in this regard. These all employment relationship leads world of work towards informalisation of work. Thus, to challenge informalisation of job, rapid unionisation is an answer.

There are many incidents of forced labour and to some extent there are incidents of bondage-condition as well. This has become highly relevant to take immediate spot actions for Protection of trade union rights. Timely review of minimum wages and full monitoring of implementation aspect in enterprise/ workplace level have now become the need of the day. For smooth functioning of our structures and timely decisions and policy/ ground actions, expansion of the use of IT and MIS for strengthening/ mobilisation works is highly important.

GEFONT proposes to keep an eye seriously on support activities for leadership and activists in order to boost their moral up so that they would work with full concentration for the right & welfare of working masses.
Monitoring of trade union rights through zone based structures and campaigning for safe workplace are also the activities in our focus. During all activities of strengthening/ mobilising, young workers and new entrants (it is projected that almost 300,000 new job seekers enters into labour market every year in Nepal) of labour market will be the focal point.

4. Rights at work:

Concentrating attention on right at work, basic issues to be dealt with are- ratification of ILO conventions (at least all core conventions) and adjustment of national laws accordingly. With the viewpoint of right protection and welfare promotion, the development of labour inspection system covering both formal & informal economy of employment is basically important. The present practice limited to factory inspection has excluded inspection of working condition at work place and the effective implementation of legislations & CBA made by unions and the management.

Therefore it is proposed to give high emphasis in order to establish a strong networking of integrated labour inspection system in agreed formula between labour administration (government), trade unions and employer's organisation for which heavy exercise to be carried out.

It is proposed to conduct various activities including study of working condition in high labour concentrated areas of employment. Similarly the broad coverage action research on harassment and exploitative & unfair labour practices covering both formal and informal economy of employment is in consideration for this period.

5. One union campaign:

In principle no one denies the inevitability of unity, but in practice multi-unionism with full disharmony and unhealthy rivalry has been witnessed in many countries. Efforts of GEFONT for single unionism in Nepal have been significant in the sense that all initiatives for "one union- one voice" have roots and shoots with GEFONT. GEFONT has always been the origin point for designing of common programmes for all unions to work together and for issue-based collaboration to go ahead. GEFONT has advocated from early 90s of 20th Century for Single unionism in National, Sub-regional, Regional and International level.

There are a number of success cases of merger of trade union confederations and few cases of failures in several countries. Sharing experiences internationally and regionally will be inspiring & promotional for new initiatives and we prefer the visits and interactions.

6. Issues of social concern:

As a trade union confederation, GEFONT feels responsibility of social transformation as workers are always in majority in the society. Workers will have a better life with the upgraded quality of life in the society and workers will not gain much if the quality of life declines in the entire society. Changes in the societal frame are necessary to upgrade the life of workers, because workplace is just a component of the society. In order to change workplace quality attitudinal change in society is essential. GEFONT feels that confining its scope of work & activity to the existing members & its affiliates will definitely lead towards a self centred behaviour.

The unchallengeable link between society and workplace, issues of social concern are also the issues of workers and trade unions. GEFONT has thus emphasised some activities on the issues of social concern. GEFONT feels that social discrimination always over-shadows class discrimination. Thus the activities focus on social discrimination, superstitious beliefs and ill practices of society and protecting the right of workers as consumers are the issues of social concerns to be addressed. The proposed activity equally focuses on HIV/AIDS, Human Trafficking, Exploitative labour practices in world of work and violence against women. As a new but highly significant one, the issue of conflict-affected and displaced workers and people is in our consideration that will be covered by our activities during this period.

7. Social Protection:

In a very limited social protection frame, the life of Nepali workers is highly miserable. Formal Social security system is just limited to only government employees, police & army and a negligible number of private sector employees covering hardly 4 % of the total workforce. Informal social protection system in a traditional family base, caste-ethnic base, religion base and community-locality base is eroding very fast without any replacement mechanism of alternatives.

In contrary all pattern of employment flexibility such a triangular contractual arrangement, flexi-time; break-time duties; seasonal and casual jobs, outsourcing and disguising jobs; exploitation through attached labour system and various other arrangement to introduce forced labour etc are practicing here to ensure easy hire and immediate fire of workers. Countries like Nepal whose almost half population is surviving below the poverty line and same population facing unemployment-underemployment condition; social protection means the employment protection.

Therefore a proper balance between labour flexibility and social security is the demand of the day where workers will have at least a minimum standard level of protection and investors (both native & foreigners) will have an investment friendly business environment. So policy level work and lobbying for social protection by the trade unions is necessary in order to nullify the adversities being created by the efforts & practices of employers for more and more flexibility.

In this head, various activities matching above mention scenario will be carried out. In addition, initiatives of schemes necessary to attract workers in the trade union network such as micro health insurance and various micro saving-credit activities under cooperative structures will be proposed.

8. Women Workers Campaign:

Full participation of women workers at every level is essential for the development of an equitable society. The female participation rate is very high in the work & labour market, but recognition and equal treatment is missing and hence women workers are facing a number of gender based discriminations including sexual harassments and various forms of exploitation. A situation of women workers with low rate of unionisation and very low participation in union leadership is to be changed fast for a sound gender balance in workplace and society. With the new declaration of parliament after the victory of people in democratic movement, at least 33% participation of women has become a tough-target in existing environment. And hence fast mobility in this connection has become necessary.

To realise GEFONT slogan- Women representation-inclusive and participatory (previously it was- not mere representation but full participation) a nationwide move for women workers empowerment is necessary. Emphasis will be given on unionising women with the slogan 'Let us feminise the our unions'. An annual gender-audit will be made through marking 8 March mobilisation day.

GEFONT has established a Social Assistance Fund for women workers; it is aimed expand to promote and protect the grass root woman worker activists. Empowering activities through education, networking, advocating, lobbying and campaigning will be priority agendas on the issue of women workers.

9. Human Resource Development:

Quality of leadership, cadres, activists and admin/field staffs is to be enhanced in order to modernise and create more efficiency in the entire organisation. This urgent need, to make GEFONT more dynamic, was realised in the 4th National Congress in the year 2004 and hence GEFONT has given high emphasis to human resource development in the internal organisational set-up.

Training and orientation programmes on English language, computer operation skills, office management, accounting, public speaking and communication skill and burning issues of labour market has been designed for skill enhancement of leaders, cadres and staffs of the entire organisation. Use of internet and GEFONT resource centre is unquestionably fruitful and hence leaders, activists and staffs will be encouraged to maximise their quality & capacity through the internet and resource centre materials.

10. Development of international relation:

In the present context of highly globalise and further globalising world, movement in any country in isolation cannot be made effective to the required extent. Globalising the struggles and sharing/exchange of views & ideas as well as encouraging/ inspiring each other through the process of solidarity & protests have become a common phenomenon. Exchange of delegation and sharing of best practices is also one of the very important aspects of sub-regional /regional global relations. Bilateral and multilateral relationship and extension of role in international forums/networks /organizations has been fruitful for the development of unionism & GEFONT itself, which we will continue.

As GEFONT has been involved in the process of formation of New International trade union centre, international relation of GEFONT should gain more height and diversities. The cooperation with various national centres of trade unions, Global union federations, regional blocks of trade unions and labour support organizations should be increased. Relationship with ILO, various UN agencies and other international actors will be given high emphasis more than before. Therefore activities related to lobbying, exchange of delegations, sharing of views and issue based common action is proposed practical agenda in this head.

11. Research and policy intervention:

Labour issues are not given due importance by the society and state in Nepal. Employment relations in Nepal have a variety of natures ranging from feudal bonded relations to modern capitalist relation. However, researches and studies in depth have not been done. Government has not developed any labour research institute up to now. In non-government side GEFONT, in association with other civil society partners has developed National Labour Academy as first labour research institute in Nepal. Without research, lobbying and policy interventions do not become effective. Hence even under resource constraint, studies and researches have to be given high importance.

A labour friendly environment is to be developed where Labour related issues will be addressed properly in national programmes & policies of the government, national budgets and periodic plans. Lobbying with the policy makers and political parties on the one hand and regular interaction with media on the other hand is one of the significant agenda where GEFONT has started to focus its attention. Various activities of research, dissemination of findings and lobbying on the basis of findings will be our priority in the real sense.

12. Publication and publicity:

By using different possible measures and means, publication and publicity work is to be accelerated. Training materials, research findings, labour related news, views on contemporary issues through regular publications is not sufficient. Through the use of internet and radio broadcasting, publicity work for the flow of information and sensitisation of working class & society is necessary. Similarly hard paper publication and materials in electronic version both in Nepali and English will be given high importance in the forthcoming period more than what we have done in past.

:: OUR MEMBERSHIP <TOP>

Based on statistics calculated by GEFONT Fourth National Congress, total membership of GEFONT is at 304, 601. GEFONT has classified the entire membership into three categories as paid-up, signature and associate:

* A new federation registered after 4th National Congress
** This additional 18,624 membership is increased after 4th national congress; however original 304,601 memberships was verified during 4th national congress

:: STRUCTURE <TOP>