The months of March, April and May 2004 were significant for workers in Nepal. The period witnessed a movement for social security and democracy spearheaded by the labour. The workers also took a step closer to forging an unprecedented unity of the labour by launching a joint secretariat of three major trade union federations in the country.

Social Security for All

A series of programmes were held in Nepal during 22-26 March this year as part of the International Labour Organization’s global camapaign on social security. On 22 March, an interction programme was organised with the ILO, the Health Journalists’ Association, labour federations GEFONT, NTUC and DECONT, the governement and the National Labour Academy on how to ensure health protection and social protection to workers in Nepal. On 23-24 March, a Round Table on Social Security Presentation was conducted on ILO- initiated research in the country, particularly its social security campaign. The discussions also included social protection for workers in the informal economy. On 25 March, a social security publication kit was launched at the National Social Security Conference followed by an ILO-arranged press conference addressed by the social partners.

Towards Single Unionism

The efforts for unity of workers received further boost with the launching of the joint secretariat of GEFONT-Nepal and NTUC. The GEFONT-NTUC Board has been established in order to go hand in hand towards single unionism in Nepal. The plan for single union formation envisages an eight-year period. A big umbrella where not a single worker or any trade union will feel excluded will be formed. The name of the structure may be Labour Senate or Labour Parliament. The GEFONT-NTUC Board has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding. In the first phase of three years, joint activities concerning occupational safety and health, workers’ education and joint policy development will be undertaken through the Secretariat. The exercise of working together in the first three years is expected to lead to the creation of an environment for developing Affiliate Councils for various sectors in order to establish the supreme body of GEFONT-NTUC Council. The Council, in turn, will lead to the Labour Senate or Labour Parliament. Mergers at various levels may also take place during the period.

The national city hall in capital Kathmandu saw a rally by the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers’ Affiliate Committee of Nepal) in which the three big construction sector federations (GEFONT, NTUC and DECONT) also took part.

GEFONT Holds 4th National Congress

In the backdrop of the joint movement for democracy in the country, GEFONT Nepal organised its 4th National Congress during 1-4 May. The theme of the Congress was One Union for Democracy, Peace and Overall Change. As part of the ongoing mass movement for democracy, workers throughout the country joined the GEFONT Congress. The other two major confederations of Nepal also participated in the inaugural ceremony, where the top leaders of various political parties addressed the workers. World trade union federations and bodies, including WCL, WFTU and ICFTU and national trade union confederations of several countries of Europe and Asia, among them confederations from China and India also took part in the Congress. Labour support organisations like the New Delhi-based Centre for Education and Communication also attended the inaugural ceremony. The three-day national Congress also saw the election of its leadership and the 42-member National Executive Committee.