Kathmandu, A discussion has been called for regarding the political report which will be presented at the Eighth National Congress of GEFONT. During the discussion, GEFONT’s Patron Bishnu Rimal , presented a political report that will guide GEFONT’s course for the following four years.
The report placed emphasis on the necessity of organizing a training campaign. Rimal said: “Currently, under the pretense of an internship, students from different institutions are made to work for free for 6 to 8 hours at hotels, franchise restaurants, and supermarkets, but in reality, the students are compelled to pay. If the training wage program is launched with the assistance of municipalities and labor administration, such works–which are in violation of the labor Act can be expanded as a new union”.
Similar to this, the political report outlines the obligation GEFONT has to fulfull over the course of the following four years, including work and fair wages, a clean workplace, and continuity of work.Limiting wage employment, enacting labor audits, and emphasizing timely minimum wage reviews have been proposed as solution to issues. A goal of enrolling at leat 2 million workers in the contribution-based social security system within the next four years was set, he stated that conditions should be put in place where employment made defer unless workers registered for social security. He added “As Health Insurance Programs are sought to be dismantled, GEFONT intends to intervene and advance the health insurance program.
In the paper, it is suggested that all of the previous components of the Organizing Academy be made active by doing research, analysis, and study and by bringing the School from Action Room concept into practice. The idea of setting up a technologically advanced training facility in Kathmandu for School from Action Room and having professional trainers conduct training from similar facilities would be administered in all seven provinces are mentioned in the report. According to Patron Rimal, scenarios will be established for union members from over the nation to acquire top-notch training with a one-time investment.
In the political report, it is also suggested that the Joint Trade Union Coordinating Center(JTUCC), which GEFONT established on its own initiative under the banner of “unity in diversity,” review its operational procedures, reassess the work of the ITUC-NAC, and begin working with unions that may merge in the future. Furthermore, the political report comprises a range of recommendations about the growth of border crossing organizations, climate change, youth workers, etc.
Patron Rimal, who was once in the leadership of GEFONT, wondered if additional objectives could be accomplished within the federation’s current organizational structure and requested a discussion about how to develop a new one. He also underlined that the union movement needs to become more dynamic and that working for a union should not be seen as a safe profession.
The Political report provides the significant concepts and initiatives GEFONT advanced from its founding until the seventh congress. Similar to this, studies have also been done on the votes received by the major political parties in the local level elections of 2017 and 2022, as well as vote percentage, elected members,etc. The need for a functioning democracy is also emphasized. In addition, the need of bolstering Nepal’s democracy is emphasized in the report on prosperity, happiness, and respect citing that attainment of these things can only be possible in a country with a consolidated democracy.
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GEFONT’s President Binod Shrestha stated during the discussion of the aforementioned study that a new strategy needs to be established for the Nepalese labor market. President Shrestha emphasized the necessity of establishing the third phase of leadership in GEFONT while announcing the ongoing nationwide discussion that’s been held for a four-year work direction.
According to Chandradev Bhatt of FES Nepal,the development of democracy and economy in the 20th century led to the conclusion that it was insufficient for the 21st century.Although technology has advanced significantly, he asserted that it is still unclear how much influence it will cause.He claims that, modification in economic politics have an impact on the relationship between capital and labor as well. And the world needs individual with diverse viewpoints and people who can pave the road for future action.Since new labor marker arrangement have been constructed, he claimed ,the union movement must progress in a creative manner as it will not advance in the manner as in the past.
According to Bhatt, the current discussion would taken a different turn if the power dynamics between the parties in Nepal could have been managed. He added that the goal is for a successful Nepal and prosperous Nepali, thus any barriers to achieving this goal should be addressed. He further explained the necessity of economic growth by pointing out that “as economic dependency grows, so does the erosion of sovereignty”.
Burno Dessue, representative of WSM noted that WSM has worked together with GEFONT for a long time. He made a point of enticing more women and young people to join the union, saying that they too had the chance to study the model for organzing workers in Nepal’s unorganized sector. Additionally, he made recommendatiopns for GEFONT’s next work proposal.
Trade Unionist Indraev Mishra claimed that regardless of the fact that trade unions have mushroomed all throughout Nepal, the workers have not yet received their benefits.He claimed that today’s workers won’t band together based on instigation;instead ,they must be drawn in by compelling ideas and initiatives.
The conference featured more than a hundred participants, including the leadership of various unions of GEFONT.
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