The ministry issued the instruction after learning lessons from the labor unrest at Surya Nepal´s garment unit and eventually its permanent closure, which, many said, were consequences of the ministry´s tepid reaction.[break]
“We have now issued circulars to all 10 labor offices in the country to report any incidents that could dampen industrial relations to the Department of Labor (DoL) within three days,” Navin Kumar Pokharel, under secretary of the MoLTM, told Republica.
The government has labor offices in Kathmandu, Janakpur, Birgunj, Hetauda, Pokhara, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Biratnagar and Jhapa.
Although these offices were primarily set up to settle disputes between employers and employees - apart from protecting the interest of workers in case they are victimized - many have failed to play their roles properly or provide immediate solutions.
“To prevent workers from taking extreme actions, we have asked labor offices to immediately report such activities to the DoL, if it is unable to keep things under control. Incidents of riots and hooliganism should also be reported without any delay,” Pokharel said.
Once the DoL gets the information, a 12-member committee - dubbed the Central Labor Relations Reform Committee - formed under its director general will start negotiations with both employers and agitated employees.
“Since the committee comprises members of both trade unions and umbrella organizations of the private sector such as the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), we hope we can come to some sort of conclusion immediately,” Pokharel added.
But if the committee itself is unable to settle the dispute, the MoLTM will then be asked to intervene in the matter, he added.
As per the Labor Act, employees who want to launch strikes should first place written demands in front of the management after collecting signature of at least 51 percent of the workforce. If their demands are not fulfilled within 21 days, they should ask the local labor office to intervene. If the disputes are not settled within next 15 days, employees can go on strike by informing the management one month in advance.
However, these rules are hardly followed.
“That´s why the labor offices should be alert all the time, so that small disputes do not take shape of prolonged protests,” Pokharel added.
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