Nepal Trade Union Congress Opposes Government Proposal to Abolish Trade Unions

Kathmandu. The Nepal Trade Union Congress has expressed strong objection to the government's recent proposal regarding the abolition of trade unions. During a press conference held in the capital on Tuesday, the union concluded that the proposal to abolish trade unions, included in the government's 100-point governance reform agenda, is against the spirit and essence of the Constitution.

The union has drawn the government's attention to the fact that Article 34 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees every worker the fundamental right to form, join, and engage in collective bargaining through trade unions. Nepal Trade Union Congress President Yogendra Kunwar clarified that while many points in the government's governance reform and good governance agenda are positive, the provision in point number 12 to 'abolish political trade unions' is unacceptable to them.

Recalling that the trade union movement has consistently raised issues of good governance and corruption control, he stated that while weaknesses within unions can be corrected, the move to abolish them entirely contradicts democratic values. He alleged that at a time when all trade unions are registered and operating legally, the government is attempting to suppress the entire labor movement.

Citing the example that political parties also have weaknesses, President Kunwar questioned the government, asking whether one should correct mistakes or ban the parties themselves. He stated that their primary objection lies not in the word 'political' but in the intent to 'abolish trade unions.' The union maintains that such a decision is an attempt to strip workers of their rights and silence their voices.

Given that Nepal has already ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 98 on collective bargaining and is in the process of passing Convention 87 on freedom of association, the union claims this government move contradicts international commitments. The Nepal Trade Union Congress has demanded that the government immediately withdraw the decision to curb trade unions, abolish the Minimum Wage Board, and restrict government advertisements solely to state-owned media. The union stated that such steps would negatively impact workplace democracy and human rights.