General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT)

Highlights

JTUCC Thanks Government for Making Social Security Mandatory for Contract and Temporary Employees

On April 16, the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) expressed its gratitude to the Government of Nepal through the Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Sharad Singh Bhandari, for enforcing the provision that requires all contract and temporary employees working in any government body to be mandatorily enrolled in the contribution-based Social Security Fund.

The JTUCC leadership welcomed the provision announced in the Nepal Gazette on April 14, which mandates that employees receiving remuneration from the government treasury but not entitled to pensions must now be compulsorily included in the contribution-based Social Security Fund.

Contract and Wage-Based Government Workers Also Included in the Social Security Fund

The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) has expressed its gratitude to the Government of Nepal for making it mandatory for contract and temporary employees working in any government body to be enrolled in the contribution-based Social Security Fund.

GEFONT has long been advocating for the implementation of contribution-based social security for all workers and employees across all sectors. Responding to this demand, the Government of Nepal, through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on April 14, announced that workers who receive salaries from government funds but are not entitled to pensions must now be mandatorily enrolled in the contribution-based Social Security Fund.

According to the notice published in the Nepal Gazette on April 14, employees working on a contract or temporary basis in provincial or local governments, or in institutions, corporations, boards, authorities, enterprises, or similar entities that are wholly or partially owned by the Government of Nepal, provincial governments, or local governments, must contribute to the fund. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security stated that the contribution must be based on at least 60% of the salary they are currently receiving, with 20% to be contributed by the employer and 11% by the worker.

The Ministry issued this notice by exercising the authority provided under Section 2, Clause (j) of the Contribution-Based Social Security Act, 2017 (2074 B.S.).

Migrant Trade Union of Korea Submits Demand Letter

In protest against the inhumane crackdowns by the Korean government on migrant workers, which have led to injuries and even deaths, the Migrant Trade Union (MTU) of Korea held a press conference and submitted a demand letter in front of the Seoul Administrative Office on April 14 and 15.

During the press conference, the MTU demanded that the government properly identify the reasons why migrant workers lose their visas and amend the laws that force them into such situations.

The MTU also called on all migrant workers to join the union to protect and advocate for their rights.

New Year 2082 Greetings Exchange Program Concluded by GEFONT Karnali Province

On the occasion of the New Year 2082 BS, the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) Karnali Province organized a greetings exchange program on April 14 (Baisakh 1) at the GEFONT Provincial Office in Surkhet.

The program was held under the chief guestship of GEFONT National Committee member Chandra Kumari Dhami, presided over by Provincial Vice President Radha Shrestha, and conducted by Secretary Shripal Saru Magar.

Union Activities

JTG-CWUN celebrates 38th foundation day.

Jute, Textile, Garment and Carpet Workers’ Union Nepal (JTG-CWUN) organized a program in Parwanipur, Bara district on December 23 to mark the 38th foundation day of JTG-CWUN.

The program was chaired by JTG-CWUN Central President Arjun Adhikari.

GEFONT Madhesh Province President Kamlesh Jha was the chief guest.

JTG-CWUN Vice President Amar Yadav, GEFONT Madhesh Province Secretary Mukti Chaudhary, District Secretary Shyambabu Patel and other leaders participated in the program.

Rameshwor Mahato, President of JTG-CWUN Triveni Synthetics Pratisthan, welcomed the participants.

Annual General Meeting of Ncell Workers’ Union held.

The annual general meeting of GEFONT affiliate IMPRESSION’s establishment Ncell Workers’ Union, was held in Kathmandu on December 20.

The event, which was held with the slogan "Strong in Solidarity Unstoppable in growth", was attended by the chief guest, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha, who said that capital and labor are equally important in the progress and development of any business and that Ncell has achieved its current status due to its hardworking and honest employees.

He said that the employees of an institution who move forward unitedly will definitely achieve success.

He also congratulated the union for its success in eliminating the problem of opening another union in the same institution that is affiliated to GEFONT.

The program was attended by Publicity Secretary Mahendra Lal Shrestha, IMPRESSION Nepal President Balgopal Thapa, Provincial Secretary Krishna Rimal, General Secretary Suraj Adhikari, and Ncell Executive Director Jabar Kayumov. A 15-member new committee was also elected under the chairmanship of Vijay Raj Mahat at the annual meeting held under the chairmanship of Shukant
Adhikari.

CUPPEC Nepal holds planning meeting in Bardiya district

On the occasion of GEFONT's rejuvenation campaign 2081 to be launched by the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) from December 16, Central Union of Painters, Plumbers, Electro and Construction Workers Nepal (CUPPEC Nepal) Bardiya District Committee held a planning meeting on December 18 to mobilize its members and resources.

In the meeting held under the chairmanship of District President Kaviram BK, GEFONT National Committee Member Purna Bahadur KC highlighted the importance and objectives of the campaign.

Similarly, CUPPEC General Secretary Rajendra Bista highlighted contribution based social security as well as the conclusion of the 55th meeting of the Central Committee.

Central Secretary Padam Budhamagar, Central Member Maniram Dhungana and GEFONT Lumbini Province Member and Bardiya In-charge Durga Bahadur KC also participated in the meeting.

Shreepaldash Tamma elected as CUPPEC-Nepal Bara District President

Central Union of Painters, Plumbers, Electro and Construction Workers-Nepal (CUPPEC-Nepal) Bara District's sixth convention held on December 14 at General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) Assembly Hall Simara has elected a 15-member committee under the chairmanship of Shreepaldash Tamma.

The chief guest of the convention, GEFONT Madesh Province President Kamlesh Jha wished the convention success and highlighted the GEFONT's rejuvenation campaign that will be launching from December 16.

CPN-UML Central Member Saraswati Chaudhary, Central Vice-President Man Bahadur BK, Member Shoma Khatiwada, GEFONT Provincial Secretary Mukti Chaudhary and other leaders wished for the success of the convention during the inauguration session of the program presided by Singha Bahadur and moderated by Dhaneshwor Kushwaha.