Submit your Article

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government and all the bodies concerned to implement the provision of minimum remuneration fixed by the government for workers.

Issuing a press note on the occasion of the 135th International Labor Day today, the NHRC wants the incorporation of workers from all sectors in the Social Security Fund, the creation of an atmosphere conducive to safe and decent work for all, and an end to all forms of labor exploitation.

Stressing the effective implementation of national and international laws regarding the strengthening of workers' rights, the national human rights body expressed its concern over a large exodus of Nepali youths in search of abroad job opportunities because of what it says is the lack of employment environment and work dignity inside the country.

The issues of delayed payment, labor exploitation, and violation of other rights of workers in the private sector have been reported to the NHRC. Moreover, its attention has been drawn to the reported cases of violence and sexual harassment against children forced to work in brick kilns, hotels, restaurants, and private homes due to poverty.

Various researches indicate that workplace incidents leading to injuries, mutilations, and, tragically, fatalities persist in Nepal, as reported by the NHRC.

The NHRC has stressed the need to uphold fundamental labor rights, such as respect for labor, non-discrimination for equal work, providing appointment letters, preventing child labor, ensuring minimum wages, offering leave and rest facilities, maintaining a safe working environment, providing social security, upholding the right to trade union, and supporting collective bargaining. It has reminded one and all that these rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, relevant UN Conventions ratified by Nepal, ILO standards, Nepal's constitution, labor laws, and associated regulations.

As the world observes May Day or Labor Day today, the focus is on advocating for safety and health in workplaces amidst a rising climate crisis. In Nepal, this day is commemorated under the theme of "decent work, respect for labor: our campaign."

The number of industrial enterprises in the country not paying the laborers minimum wage has risen by six per cent and reached 21.7 percent, according to a report of the GEFONT.

The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), a labor union affiliated with the CPN-UML, unveiled the Labour Audit Report-2080 BS in a press conference on Monday, which revealed the startling facts about the condition of laborers and daily wagers in Nepal.

The government of Nepal has determined Rs 17,300 per month as the minimum wage in Nepal. 

The report stated that the implementation of minimum wages and facilities for the workers was becoming critical in the country. Much to the dismay, the situation of implementation of minimum wage in industrial enterprises, where the union is active, is not much rosy from what it was then.

According to the finding of the GEFONT, 15.3 percent industrial establishments had not paid their workers minimum wage in 2079 BS.

Similarly, 72.6 percent of companies were found not paying minimum wage and overtime perks to workers hired through labor outsourcing companies in 2080 BS. 

The exploitation of labor of the laborers is approaching a critical point, cautioned the report.

Although the Labour Act-2074 BS stipulates that the workers cannot be forced to work for more than eight hours a day and 48 hours a week, it is far from effective implementation, the report lamented.

However, the scenario of child labour paints a slightly a brighter picture as per the report. The industries employing children as workers have been decreasing lately. 

In the year 2079 BS, the industries using child labour was at 0.75 percent which reduced to 0.6 in 2080 BS.

Speaking in the press conference, GEFONT’s President Binod Shrestha read out a 25-point declaration prepared by the union in the context of May Day (International Labour Day on May 1).

The union has been complaining with the government regarding lax implementation of the Labour Act-2074 BS which aims to secure the welfare of the workers. 

In the 25-point declaration, the Union demanded an orientation session for the laborers about social security funds. It also underscored strict implementation of the minimum wage provision and removal of the provision of not filing the case against forceful transfer in the labor court among others.

Likewise, Working Journalist Association’s Chairperson Janmadev Jaisi argued that the syndicate system in the industry and political instability had caused an economic crisis in the country which, according to him, had hit the daily wagers the hardest.

The government will be extending the child nutrition grant program to all 77 districts of the country.

At present the government has been distributing Rs 532 as child grant to the children below five years old in 25 selected districts as well as to children below five years old from Dalit households of all 77 districts.

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhary outlined the ongoing efforts to broaden the scope of the nutrition grant program, and increasing the grant as 532 is insufficient for the nutritious food.

"We are dedicated to ensuring that every child in Nepal, regardless of their location, receives the essential nutrition support they need for healthy growth and development," said Minister Chaudhary during her address at the event ‘Policy Dialogue on Social Protection and Child Grant in Nepal’ organized by the Social Protection Civil Society Network and INSP! R Nepal here on Tuesday.

The Constitution guarantees various social and economic rights, including the rights to social security for vulnerable groups consisting of children. Article 43 of the Constitution preserves the fundamental right to social protection for all children. Similarly, The Child Rights Act 2018 provides a bundle of rights to children, including the rights to a dignified life, appropriate care, nutrition, and free basic health services.

Director of the National Planning Commission, Loknath Bhushal, presented about the provisions mentioned in the Integrated Social Protection Framework- 2080 and highlighted the role of governments, civil society organizations and trade unions for implementing it. Similarly, an expert of Social Protection Basant Raj Gautam, presented about the importance of investing in children, and emphasized the overall status, need to increase child grant and its future impact to the Nation.

Speaking in the program, Chairperson of the Women and Social Affairs Committee of the Federal Parliament, Kiran Kumar Shah, emphasized that the foundation of a ‘Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali is only possible if the government invests in children.

Ambar Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the Federal Parliament, expressed concerns and advocated for universal access to education and healthcare for all children.

Federal Member of Parliament and CPN-UML Whip Sunita Baral emphasized that the investment made in the field of children is scattered and it should be integrated while Coordinator of the Parliamentary Group for Child Rights and Federal Member of Parliament Ranju Kumari Jha emphasized the need to allocate the social security allowances based on identified needs and prioritize investments in children.

She reiterated the importance of ensuring that resources are directed towards addressing the specific requirements of children, underscoring that doing so is crucial for their well-being and development.

Federal Member of Parliament Dayal Bahadur Shahi emphasized that in the context of Nepal Social Security Allowance program was initiated only recently, however its effectiveness is evident, underscoring the importance of prioritizing the investment to children within the ambit of social security.

Ram Kumar Phuyal, a member of the National Planning Commission, said that in the next financial year and the next five-year interim plan, especially when more than 15 percent of the total budget of the federal government is spent on social security, that money should be focused on children and senior citizens, and the youth generation should be empowered by competition, production and productivity. He focused on giving the priority to contribution-based social security, to connect with independence and self-reliance, sustainability and life cycle.

Members of Parliament and concerned members of political parties emphasized the need to bolster investments in children and integrate them into the broader social security framework. Suggestions were made to increase the Child Nutrition Grant, allocate budget for implementing an integrated social protection framework, and prioritize investments in children.

In the program, more than 100 people participated, including Roshani Karki, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population; Kul Bahadur Khadka, Deputy Secretary-General of the Nepal Trade Union Congress, Mina Sharma, Chairperson of CZOP, Bhawa Raj Regmi, Secretary of the Non-Governmental Organization Federation, Gopal Nepali from Save the Children; Shyam Adhikari from World Vision; and Om Thapaliya from Home Net and INSP!R Nepal, stressed the urgent need for the state to address issues related to children, especially those concerning the welfare of children from marginalized communities, children with disabilities, and children affected by various forms of violence.

They suggested for appropriate acknowledgment from the state, urging for the inclusion of children's issues within the scope of social security, allocation and provision of a separate budget code for children, inclusion of topics such as child-friendly local governance, nutrition-friendly local governance, national pride for children, and Children and School are the Peace of Zone, to enhance investment in children. They also requested an increase in funding to improve the quality of nutritious day meal programs and expand the programs up to class 10 from the recent initiatives of class 5.

The symposium witnessed attendance from various stakeholders, policymakers including Bimala Subedi, Chairperson of Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the Federal Parliament, Federal Members of Parliament, Vice-Chairperson of the National Child Rights Council, Bam Bahadur Baniya, the Executive Director of Social Security Fund, Kabi Raj Adhikari, Usha Mishra from UNICEF, Government Officials, Development partners, civil society organizations, trade unions, and human rights activists. The event was organized jointly by the financial support from UNICEF, Save the Children, and We Social Movement (WSM).

As Nepal approaches the final stages of formulating policies, programs, and budgets for the fiscal year 2081/82, the symposium aimed to ensure robust policies addressing comprehensive social security issues, particularly focusing on the needs of children.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2,700 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 134, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 137, 200 per tola on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 133, 850 per tola. It was traded at Rs 136, 550.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,630 per tola today.

One more person, who was critically injured while trying to douse the fire at Tapeshwor Community Forest in Godawari Municipality-4, Badikhel, Lalitpur, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the Kirtipur-based Burn Hospital.

Shankar and Ramesh Pahari were seriously injured when they went to contain the forest fire.

Shankar died on Tuesday while Ramesh breathed his last this morning, SP Naresh Raj Subedi of the District Police Range, Lalitpur said.

The fire broke out in community forests of Godavari Municipality-6, Tikabhaira, Mahadev Khola Satya community forest of ward 5, Tapeshwar temple's forest of ward 4, Badikhel, Chheda Community Forest of ward 9, Jayabhadra community forest of ward 3, Charghare community forest of ward 10, SP Subedi shared.

He further informed that the fire also spread to Dhungeni Patle community forest, Taplechap community forest of ward 2, government forest at Kundulle of Bagmati Rural Municipality-5 and Lubhu Patle Community Forest of Mahalaxmi Municipality-3 since last night.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav said Nepal will lend full-fledged support to make the United Nations a strong and effective global body.

Deputy Prime Minister Yadav, who is in New York to attend the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, made the commitment in a meeting with the President of the 78th United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis today, according to the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN in New York.

Talking about climate change and the problems facing the least developed countries like Nepal and its impact, the DPM expressed views on the importance of sustainable tourism development, international cooperation and multilateralism.

He pledged Nepal's full support to the priorities put forward by President Francis for peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

Appreciating the significant improvement in Nepal's health sector, especially maternal and reproductive health, the President pledged the UN's support to Nepal in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Also speaking at a program jointly organized by Nepal along with Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Colombia and the UK in the United Nations, Yadav highlighted Nepal's progress and challenges in the health sector and said that exchange of trust, goodwill, solidarity and cooperation among the nations was important for the improvement of the health sector.

Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa and high-ranking government officials of Nepal were present on the occasion.

The International Labor Day or May Day is being celebrated today with the theme 'History, Achievements and the Road Ahead'.

Workers all over the world take this day as an opportunity to keep everyone aware of the protection and promotion of labor rights with mutual unity and solidarity.

This day will remind of the movements and achievements made so far for the establishment of the right to decent work and reasonable wages.

The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed the right to employment of the citizens and the right to fair remuneration and contribution-based social security for every worker.

On the occasion of May Day, the Joint Trade Union Coordination Committee is organizing a special program at Bhrikutimandap today in the presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Committee General Secretary Prem Prasad Khanal said that the rally will be organized from the new road before the ceremony.

More than Rs 10. 34 million has been stolen from the branch of Nabil Bank in Birgunj.

District Police Office, Parsa spokesperson DSP Kumar Bikram Thapa said that more than Rs 10. 34 was stolen from the branch of Nabil Bank at Bypass Road on Sunday night.

The security guard informed branch manager Pawan Paudel when he saw a new bolt in the main gate of the bank at around 8:30 am on Monday, according to him.

After Paudel informed police, a police team broke into the bank after breaking the new padlock of the main gate and found that around Rs 10. 34 was stolen from the bank, DSP Thapa informed.

“The thieves had stolen the money by cutting the box with a welding machine. There was even more money in the bank’s vault. But the vault is safe,” he said.

Thapa said that no one stays at the bank for security during the night time.

He said that the thieves took the opportunity of the same thing and made off with the cash.

In the video recorded in the CCTV camera, a group of four to five persons were seen entering the bank by breaking the lock of the main gate and decamping with the money of the box by putting it in a sack, Thapa said.

Following the incident, the bank’s branch manager filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Parsa on Tuesday, he said.

The Nabil Bank’s branch was established at the Bypass Road on June 1, 2023.