The Asia Pacific regional meeting of Streetnet International, an international umbrella organization of self-employed street vendors from around the world, where the Nepal Street Vendors Trade Union (NEST) is affiliated, commenced on 30th January at Hotel Thamel Park in Kathmandu.

At the onset of the meeting, GEFONT President Cde. Binod Shrestha extended a warm welcome to all participants from various countries to Nepal. Trade union representatives from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Thailand, Belgium, Portugal, Cambodia, Ukraine, and other countries attended the meeting. Cde. Shrestha emphasized that the challenges faced by street vendors are identical across different countries. He advocated for the development of a common framework to address these issues.

Cde. Shrestha underscored that the primary concern is the dignity of work, regardless of its scale. He highlighted GEFONT's ongoing efforts towards promoting dignified work.

He mentioned that GEFONT and Nepal Street Vendors Trade Union (NEST) played a significant role in integrating street vendors into the contributory social security scheme. Additionally, he noted GEFONT's campaign aimed at enrolling 2 million workers into the contributory social security scheme.

Representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Solidarity Center shared their perspectives during the meeting, which is scheduled to continue until 2nd February.

GEFONT along with other Trade unions members -Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) has filed the complaint   with ILo against Government of Nepal and legislature Parliament on Violation of the Trade Union Rights by curtailing right to strike in all Industrial Enterprises. 

In the complaint, it is requested ILO to take an appropriate action against the Government of Nepal to:

Repeal the provision containing anti labour provision under Industrial Enterprises Act 2016 ( Clause on Industrial Human Resource¬)

Repeal the provision containing ban on right to strike and bargaining in Special Economic Zones Act 2016, 

To repeal the Essential Service Act 1957 and the notification published under the act every six month 25th April 2016, which ban the strike on different services. We further request the Committee to make a direct request to the Government of Nepal in order to stop all kinds of unfair practices such as repeatedly issuing of prohibiting order in the name of 'Essential Services', which curtail workers' democratic rights ensured by the ILO core conventions.

To ensure that Government should amend all legislation which must be comply with ILO principle on Fundamental principle and right at work as well as constitution of Nepal. 

To take an appropriate action against the Government of Nepal in order to ensure union rights in Nepal and prior consultation with trade unions, which affect the right of the works.

Recently, the parliament has adopted the Industrial Enterprises Bill in line of the draft submitted by the Ministry of Industry. According to the preamble of the bill, the main aim is to provide facilities concession and tax rebate to industry by the government. It wants to create investment friendly environment to replace import by increasing export through enhancing national productivity and employment opportunities within the country.

The Bill contains different chapters containing Preliminary provision, Registration and Regulation of Industry, Provision on Classification of Industry and Fixed Capital structure, Creation of  Industry and Investment Promotion Board, Provision relating to Concession, Facility and Discounts to be provided to Industry,  Provision relating to Single Entry system, Provision on Sick Industry, Provision on Punishment and Appeal, and Miscellaneous Provision. None of the Chapter contains the rights, remuneration, and benefit of the workers including their duties and responsibilities.

Complain before ILO against GOV 17 Nov 2016

On the occasion of Migrant day 2016, GEFONT Department of Foreign Affairs issues a press note and congratulates all migrant workers who leave their country for better jobs. In the statement, GEFONT urge government of Lebanon to release Ms. Rojimaya Limbu without delay. She was arrested by government of Lebanon last week. The authority accused that she was involve in rescuing a domestic workers who is exploited by her employer. Similarity in the same allegation,   Ms. Suzana (sushila) Rana also deported from Lebanon last week.

In the statement, GEFONT also request government of of Nepal to create safe and decent working environment to workers working abroad. For the purpose, bilateral agreement should have with all destination country and that must be prepared as transparent manner.

 GEFONT urge that migrant workers should not be discriminated and should be protected by National law. Workers should have at least minimum wage, basic facility including social security.  They should have right to remit their earning through banking system.

During the recruitment workers should be free from all kind of recruitment fees and related cost and they should have access to justice in a free and fair manner, including easy exit when they want to leave the job. And most importantly, they have right to organize and bargaining collectively.
 

GEFONT has expressed sorrow and deep concerned to lost due to floods and landslides triggered by the torrential rainfall in various parts of the country. Releasing a  Press Communiqué, GEFONT sternly demanded the Nepal Government for immediate  rescue & distribution of  the  relief materials to the victims. GEFONT further demanded the Government for  pressure to open the Koshi Barrage Gates to stop any more distruction.

A Press Communiqué reads “ In this difficult situation, GEFONT request all its members and well wishers to invovle in relief &  rescue operation in their respective places.”

Over  70 persons were killed,  more than 50 persons were mising & the Hundreds of families have been displaced after the floodwater gushed into the human settlement in most parts of Tarai region.

Speaking in the Leading Activist Training Programme organised by GEFONT and ANTUF Unity Coordination Committee in Kathmandu, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha declared GEFONT & ANTUF's joint commitment and joint Statement.

On the Occasion, President Shrestha welcomed all activists and said “Two Unions established in different circumstances have been in process of merger after a decade long cooperation.” He informed about trade unions initiation to develop and adopt new labour law and social security act. 

President Shrestha further informed about Trade unions initiation to increase minimum wage and first time in history successful to increase 39% minimum wage. He also requested everyone to be alert about negative propaganda to weaken the current Government. Quoting “Unity is Strength “President urged all members of both unions to be united and conduct joint programme at workplaces.

3000 leading Activists of both Unions throughout the Country participated in the first joint programme. Earlier, General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) and All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) had jointly created 11 members GEFONT/ANTUF Unity Coordination Committee under the presidency of GEFONT President Binod Shrestha.

Nepal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding on recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers with the Malaysian government on 29th October 2018, in Kathmandu.

Releasing a Press Communiqué, GEFONT has welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Nepal Government and the government of the Malaysia. GEFONT Press Communiqué signed by GEFONT Secretary General Jank Chaudhary reads “this is the positive development for Nepali migrant workers it has addressed the recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers.

As per the agreement, employer companies will bear recruitment service charges, two-way airfare, visa fee, health check-up, security screening and levy charges, among others.

According to the MoU, from now on, Malaysian companeis  will pay the salaries of workers through banking channel and will have to deposit wages on the seventh day of the month. The employer company will also have to bear all expenses related to accommodation, health check-up and security, among others, during the contract period. The contract period, which used to be three years has now been reduced to two years & If an immediate family member of a worker dies in Nepal, the company will have to allow the worker to return home on leave not exceeding 15 days as per the MoU..” 

Press Communiqué further reads “As per the agreement, the Malaysian government will provide equal treatment to Nepali migrant workers with regard to health insurance, accident insurance, security and other accidents. Likewise, if a company goes bankrupt or puts undue pressure on workers then workers have the rights to change jobs, as per the act.