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Janata Samabwadi Party Nepal (JSPN)'s general congress that concluded in Janakapur has assigned the responsibility of nominating office bearers and central committee members to party Chair Upendra Yadav. 

The meeting scheduled to elect a new working committee today decided to allocate the rights to the chair for nominating the new working committee. 

There is a provision of having 21 office bearers and 201 central committee members in the party.

Earlier, the general congress had unanimously elected Upendra Yadav as the chair.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that Nepal's Constitution has fully embraced the provisions of social justice such as equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment, which is at the core of the International Labor Organization.

"With participation in the Global Coalition for Social Justice, we reaffirm our commitment to social justice, faith in multilateralism, and to renew the social contract," he said in his keynote address at the High-Level event of the 112th International Labor Conference and the Inaugural Session of the Global Coalition for Social Justice in Geneva, Switzerland earlier today.

"Our collective effort to achieve sustainable peace through social justice is as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago. When discussing sustainable peace, we must remember that it cannot be achieved without justice and economic-gains to the poor and downtrodden."

Stating that in course of its political journey from monarchy to a federal democratic republic, Nepal has placed social justice at the center of change in labor, employment, and social security sectors, he said that Nepal's constitution has enshrined labor rights, the right to employment, the right to form trade unions, and the right to participate in collective bargaining as fundamental rights. "To implement these constitutional provisions, we have made legal and institutional arrangements such as the Labor Act, Trade Union Act, Employment Rights Act, Contribution-based Social Security Act, and National Employment Policy."

The Global Coalition for Social Justice announced today is our noble initiative and shared commitment to embrace social justice for all and in all areas, as envisioned by the ILO. Ensuring equality and justice for workers is our collective resolve.

Noting that people in all countries and societies of the world must receive justice, and they must be freed from hunger and fear, he said since it is the world of work that has made the world prosperous, ensuring a fair share of the fruits of labor to reach the hands of workers is our shared responsibility; and this is social justice.

President Paudel also expressed belief that the Global Coalition for Social Justice would continuously inspire everyone to unite through social dialogue to maintain social harmony and tolerance and achieve economic development and prosperity.

On a different note, the President said as a resident of a mountainous country, I need to speak about climate change and its impacts to the lives of the Nepali people while discussing social justice at present and climate justice for the generations to come.

Climate change has severely affected supply of drinking water, crop patterns, biodiversity, and public health, pushing millions into marginal poverty and adding to stark inequality. Climate induced disasters have compounded problems by severely affecting livelihoods and causing displacement of families and communities from their homelands.

"Therefore, I believe that adequate funding, compensation, and necessary technology should be provided to countries in order to ensure climate justice," the President said, "The global community, especially major emitters, should not fail to shoulder this responsibility. While talking about social justice, we must not forget to ensure climate justice globally."

Noting that a significant amount of money that should be spent on development is being invested in deadly weapons for useless war, the President said that the international community should reverse this path and mobilize resources for the prosperity of humanity. "Sustainable peace can be achieved through shared prosperity and a sense of global brotherhood, not through weapons."

Nepal is actively engaged in the 8.7 Alliance, standing against child labour, forced labour, and modern slavery and also actively involved as a pathfinder country for employment and social security for a just transition. "Currently, we are implementing the Decent Work Program (2023–2027) in Nepal, which includes employment, rights, and social dialogue."

Nepal is committed to implementing the 'Decent Work Agenda' in embracing the digital economy, care economy, and gig economy, he said while pointing out the need to make assessments of the institutional, legal, and operational aspects of the ILO and reform so as to address the challenges of the changing world of work.

Referring to the increasing trend of young people from developing countries seeking employment in labor destination countries, President Paudel appealed to all countries of the world to treat migrant workers with respect and treat them equally and abide by the principle of decent work.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Thursday hosted a breakfast meeting with the senior executives of leading Indian Multinational Companies operating in Nepal and associated with Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI).

The meeting was coordinated by the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI).

The event began with welcome remarks from the Deputy Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the Chief Executives and representatives of the companies shared their success stories in Nepal and briefed their plans for future expansion, emphasizing their commitment to reinvest from the earnings locally, reads a statement issued by NICCI.

They also highlighted several challenges they face, including issues in the real sector, difficulties in remitting funds, payments to foreign suppliers, and the impacts of post-COVID economic sluggishness on construction and manufacturing sectors.

The mismatch in customs duties on raw materials versus finished products, which has increased manufacturing costs in Nepal, has created an uneven playing field. Despite repeated requests to address budget suggestions, these issues have remained unresolved.

Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the retention of earnings by Indian nationals working in these companies and the high tax rates in Nepal, which are among the highest globally. The representatives urged the government to address these matters to foster a more conducive investment environment in Nepal.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha assured the delegates that he would convey their issues to the Prime Minister, as well as the Ministers of Finance and Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, to ensure that these concerns are heard and addressed, the statement further reads.

He expressed his concern over the reliance of Nepal’s economy on remittances and import duties, which has led our economy into a consumer-based economy. He emphasized the need to shift towards an import-substitution and export-oriented economy for long-term sustainability. Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha thanked all the multinational representatives for their presence and their insights into the current economic situation in Nepal.

The meeting was attended by Ravi Kumar Rayavaram, Managing Director of Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd.; Amlan Mukherjee, Managing Director of Unilever Nepal Ltd.;  Abhiman Bararia, Managing Director of Asian Paints Nepal Pvt. Ltd., G. Gopalakrishnan of Asian Paints, Gorakh Rana, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd.; Rabi Bhakta Shrestha, Promoter Director of Unilever Nepal Ltd.; Saibal Ghosh, Management Consultant at Berger Jenson and Nicholson Nepal Pvt. Ltd.; Mayur Kumar, Financial Controller of Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd.; and Keshab Man Singh, Director General of NICCI.

On the occasion, the Director General of NICCI presented a copy of the "Investment Guide for Indian Investors, 3rd Edition, 2024” to the Deputy Prime Minister.

This guide book was prepared by NICCI in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, was recently launched at the Investment Summit 2024 in April in Nepal.

It includes all the provisions and amendments made by the Government of Nepal up to the date of the Investment Summit 2024 through special ordinances to ease investment procedures in Nepal.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has left for Switzerland this evening to attend the inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice that will take place during the High-level Segment of the 112th Session of the International Labor Conference.

 Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, deputy prime minister, ministers and high-ranking government officials had reached Tribhuvan International Airport to bid farewell to President Paudel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared in a press statement that President Paudel will address the inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice on June 13.

Paudel is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd on June 12.

Similarly, President Paudel will leave Geneva for Berlin on June 15 for an official visit to Germany at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Paudel is scheduled to hold official talks with his German counterpart on June 17, the Ministry added.

The President's spouse Sabita Paudel has  accompained the President during the visit.

He will return home in June 19.