2 January, 2021, Kathmandu: The newly elected JTUCC President, Jagat Simkhada takes his role from 1st January, 2021 to lead trade union movement in Nepal.
Mr. Simkhada is also the Central President of All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANTUF). On Friday during the handover program of presidency to him for the year 2021 of Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) which is the common platform of trade unions of Nepal, he added, “When there are elections, and situation is difficult, political parties and leaders remember workers. When they are in power, they forget the workers. That is why 10% representation of workers at the policy making level should be ensured. Employers are misusing article 145 of the labour law and firing the workers. Hence, JTUCC will put pressure for cancelling or amending the article as per workers’ interest” he further said.
JTUCC was established to lobby at policy making level, and raise workers’ issues in a united way. However, today JTUCC’s lobbying role only is not sufficient because lobbying to government, political parties, and in the parliament could not address workers’ issues. JTUCC needs to create all round pressure in order to address and implement these issues, remarked he.
Mr. Simkhada further said “trade unions and people shouted slogans that new era had begun, and social security had been implemented but in reality it made no difference.” 90% workers work in informal sector but they are deprived of social security. So, if we do not pressurise now, it is not going to be implemented. Workers are at the frontline of movements but political parties and leaders ignore the workers once they gain power. People working from prime minister’s office to labour ministry are not registered in contributory social security fund. Therefore, JTUCC will play a main role to cover the workers for social security in the coming days.”
He also stressed that workers’ wages and benefits should be increased as per the prices in the market and inflation.
Every year about half million work force enters into labour market in Nepal but their employment security is hardly discussed in parliament. The lack of implementation of existing labour laws, and apathy of government, employers and political parties, have often complicated the working condition of thousands of workers in Nepal…