Introduction
OUR VISION
Dignified, prosperous and creative life of the working class is our vision; the vision statement is- Socialism for dignified working class and prosperous life!
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to establish socialist production relations in Nepal by eliminating the existing feudal production relations. To achieve the mission, we educate, organise and build capacity of the working class to enable them to influence policy formulation and political decision making processes. We also mobilise international solidarity to back up our efforts for labour rights including the universal human rights.
OUR GOAL
To establish Federal Loktantrik (fully-fledged democratic) Republic of Nepal in which the working class has a decisive say in all structures and bodies of the state
OUR OBJECTIVES
- To continue the struggle for social transformation with class vision
- To create a policy environment in which universal rights of the workers are promoted, protected and fulfilled
- To materialise single unionism as unified trade union movement in Nepal
- To ensure decent work for all
OUR HISTORY
The history of Nepali trade union movement goes back to 1947. The formation of All Nepal Trade Union Congress (ANTUC), reorganised in 1950, was the first trade union centre 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 birth of second generation of Nepali Trade union movement by launching Nepal Independent Workers Union (NIWU) along with others- more than half a dozen trade union federations. In order to meet demand of the day- necessity of proper co-ordination and understanding among trade unions of different sectors, finally, an initiative was undertaken on July 20, 1989. This initiative ultimately launched GEFONT. After enactment of Trade Union Act-1992, GEFONT has formally registered as the FIRST National Trade Union Confederation in the country in 1995.
OUR HISTORICAL FOOTSTEPS
| 1946 | Formation of All Nepal Trade Union Congress (ANTUC) |
| 1947 | Formation of the Biratnagar Workers Union (BWU) |
| 1947 | First labour movement started (March 4) |
| 1950 | Re-organisation of ANTUC |
| 1951 | Unification of ANTUC and BWU |
| 1960 | Ban on trade unions and political parties |
| 1975 | Great slow-down started in Biratnagar Jute Mills. |
| 1978 | General Strike in Balaju Industrial District (BID), Kathmandu |
| 1979 | Two-month long General Strike called by Construction Workers of East-West High Way |
| Workers' strikes started from BID, with the demands of union rights including various professional demands. Shortly it was supported by different sectors like transportation, tea plantation, hotel etc and became nation-wide. | |
| This movement established a new National Centre-Nepal Independent Workers' Union (NIWU)-as a continuation of ANTUC tradition with the aim to organise all workers irrespective of occupation and ideology. | |
| Formation of another federation called Independent Transport Workers' Association of Nepal (ITWAN) | |
| 1981 | Formation of Nepal Independent Hotel Workers' Union (NIHWU) |
| 1983 | Formation of the Trekking Workers Association Of Nepal (TWAN) |
| 1989 | Establishment of GEFONT by four founder federations-NIWU, ITWAN, NIHWU and TWAN (July 20). |
| 1990 | GEFONT played a significant role to gear-up popular movement as a co-ordinating body of all workers. The movement became successful, with multi-party system restored. |
| GEFONT organised the first-ever open-air programme and reorganized its National Executive Committee. | |
| Number of national affiliates rose to 9. | |
| 1991 | Various labour laws-Labour Act, Trade Union Act etc. introduced |
| 1992 | GEFONT's First National Congress convened (March 28-31). |
| 1995 | GEFONT registered as the First National Confederation (May) |
| 1996 | GEFONT's Second National congress convened (March 16-19). |
| 2000 | GEFONT's Third National Congress convened (May 1-3). |
| 2004 | GEFONT's Fourth National Congress convened (May 1-3). |
| 2005 | Along with other trade union centres organised 1st Wider Trade union Conference as part of preparation to oust Royal regime imposed through February 1st Royal Coup |
| 2006 | Dedicated to Loktantrik movement; which converted into famous April Uprising. The people's revolt sidelined autocratic monarch and handed over all power to the resisted parliament |
| 2007 | Involved in peace building and active to end political transition;campaigned for establishment of Federal Democratic Republic |
| 2008 | Historical Constituent Assembly (CA) election held, most inclusive 601 member CA formed |
| May 29 (Jeth 15), 240 years long Shah Dynasty abolished by 1st meeting of CA, Nepal is declared first republic in 21st Century | |
| 2009 | GEFONT's Fifth National Congress convened (April 4-7);leadership hand over at April 30 |
