General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) President Binod Shrestha stated that workers have a long history of struggle for democracy, equality, and social justice. In the early days, trade unions fought for workers’ basic rights; however, movements divided along political party lines failed to pave a proper path forward.

He emphasized that the situation changed in 2007, when Nepal’s fragmented trade unions were unified under the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC), successfully amplifying the collective voice of workers.

Adopting the guiding principle of “Unity in Diversity,” JTUCC has been uniting trade union efforts across Nepal, raising common labour issues for policy reform, industrial peace, and development.

President Shrestha shared these views during the South Asia Regional Meeting on the Sanitation Sector, organized by Public Services International (PSI) in Kathmandu on 9 April 2025.

He further highlighted that workers and trade unions in Nepal have been directly linked with political movements and the restoration of people's democracy. He emphesized that the trade union movement now focuses on securing workers’ rights and institutionalizing achievements through social dialogue, adding that the main goal of social dialogue is to ensure industrial peace and decent work.