Union of Trekking, Travels, Rafting and Airlines Workers - Nepal (UNITRAV)
Trekking workers are those engaged in hard works as porters and guides to trekkers, climbers and submitters. No regime in the past honoured the contribution of these dedicated trekking workers. The Trekking Workers Association of Nepal was founded in April 1983 as the only federation of its kind in the country.
The Union of Trekking Travels, Rafting and Airlines Workers - Nepal is a new name after restructuring TWAN. It has been restructured in accordance with the GEFONT policy of line-industry Federation Campaign. TWAN had convened its first national conference in underground existence in 1984 during the period of autocratic regime. Now the Union has covered the entire mass of workers from travels and rafting sector along with the large number of trekking & mountaineering workers. The UNITRAV is another affiliate of Global Union Federation- the IUF.
Affiliates Activities
Cooperation and Coordination between UNITRAV and NMA is Essential – GEFONT President Binod Shrestha
The Nepal Trekking, Travel, Rafting & Airlines Workers Union (UNITRAV), affiliated with the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), organized an interaction program on August 7, 2025 focused on the social security of tourism workers and UNITRAV’s role and representation in the upcoming election of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), scheduled for early September 2025 (Bhadra).
GEFONT President Binod Shrestha highlighted the brotherhood and cooperative relationship that has existed between UNITRAV and NMA for the past two decades, along with their joint efforts in the interest of workers and mountaineers. He stressed that such cooperation and coordination must continue in the future as well.
Chaired by UNITRAV President Suman Parajuli, the program featured remarks from former Treasurer of NMA and current presidential candidate Tikaram Gurung, Chairperson of UNITRAV’s Advisory Committee and former NMA Executive Committee Member Sarki Tamang, and Bagmati Province Tourism Sector Provincial Member Tikaram Nepali, among others.
The program was conducted by UNITRAV General Secretary Ram Bahadur Shrestha.
Four workers declare candidacy in NMA elections
General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) affiliated, the UNITRAV organized a meeting of mountaineering workers at GEFONT Hall on 17 August 2025, and announced candidacies for the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) election to be held on 24 August 2025 from UNITRAV’s side.
The candidates are: Mingmar Sherpa, Sandesh Sherpa, Jenjen Lama, and Furtenzi Sherpa.
GEFONT President Binod Shrestha, emphasizing the need to play an effective role for dignified work, fair wages, social security, and development of skilled manpower addressing the concerns of mountaineering workers, expressed GEFONT’s continuous support and extended best wishes for their victory.
GEFONT Vice President Sita Lama, appreciating professional rights and the sentiments of climbers, extended best wishes to play an important role in the Mountaineering Association on behalf of the workers.
The gathering was held under the chairmanship of UNITRAV President Suman Parajuli and conducted by General Secretary Ram Bahdur Shreshta. At the same time, all four NMA candidates expressed their commitment to workers’ rights and concerns.
UNITRAV organizes social dialogue on social security
General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT)-affiliated UNITRAV organized a social dialogue program on social security on 14 August 2025.
Chief Guest, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha, said that contribution-based social security should be mandatory in the mountaineering sector. He added that cooperation between the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and UNITRAV is important for the development and expansion of Nepal’s mountaineering sector.
President Shrestha also said that for dignified work for workers in this sector, there is no alternative to being organized under UNITRAV. He stressed the need for UNITRAV representation in the upcoming NMA election in September.
The program was chaired by UNITRAV President Suman Parajuli and conducted by General Secretary Ram Bahadur Shrestha. NMA President Kul Gurung, Senior Vice President Tika Gurung, Treasurer Sumi Lama, UNITRAV Advisory Committee Chair Sarki Tamang, and other guests also spoke.
UNITRAV Airport Area Celebrates Teej
The GEFONT-affiliated UNITRAV Airport Area Committee organized a greetings exchange program on the occasion of Haritalika Teej on 17 August 2025.
At the program, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha extended best wishes for Teej, stating that Teej is not only a cultural festival but also an occasion for women to forget the burdens of year-round work and move forward with new energy.
GEFONT Vice President Sita Lama expressed her belief that the Teej festival inspires working women to demonstrate unity for achieving their rights. Deputy General Secretary Kamala Tamang, Secretary Bijaya Khadka, and other guests attended the program.