Speaking in the Leading Activist Training Programme organised by GEFONT and ANTUF Unity Coordination Committee in Kathmandu, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha declared GEFONT & ANTUF's joint commitment and joint Statement.

On the Occasion, President Shrestha welcomed all activists and said “Two Unions established in different circumstances have been in process of merger after a decade long cooperation.” He informed about trade unions initiation to develop and adopt new labour law and social security act. 

President Shrestha further informed about Trade unions initiation to increase minimum wage and first time in history successful to increase 39% minimum wage. He also requested everyone to be alert about negative propaganda to weaken the current Government. Quoting “Unity is Strength “President urged all members of both unions to be united and conduct joint programme at workplaces.

3000 leading Activists of both Unions throughout the Country participated in the first joint programme. Earlier, General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) and All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) had jointly created 11 members GEFONT/ANTUF Unity Coordination Committee under the presidency of GEFONT President Binod Shrestha.

Nepal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding on recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers with the Malaysian government on 29th October 2018, in Kathmandu.

Releasing a Press Communiqué, GEFONT has welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Nepal Government and the government of the Malaysia. GEFONT Press Communiqué signed by GEFONT Secretary General Jank Chaudhary reads “this is the positive development for Nepali migrant workers it has addressed the recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers.

As per the agreement, employer companies will bear recruitment service charges, two-way airfare, visa fee, health check-up, security screening and levy charges, among others.

According to the MoU, from now on, Malaysian companeis  will pay the salaries of workers through banking channel and will have to deposit wages on the seventh day of the month. The employer company will also have to bear all expenses related to accommodation, health check-up and security, among others, during the contract period. The contract period, which used to be three years has now been reduced to two years & If an immediate family member of a worker dies in Nepal, the company will have to allow the worker to return home on leave not exceeding 15 days as per the MoU..” 

Press Communiqué further reads “As per the agreement, the Malaysian government will provide equal treatment to Nepali migrant workers with regard to health insurance, accident insurance, security and other accidents. Likewise, if a company goes bankrupt or puts undue pressure on workers then workers have the rights to change jobs, as per the act.

Kathmandu, GEFONT has said that the need for protection of migrant workers during the COVID crisis is    more essential than ever. GEFONT has also requested employers and the government to protect the rights of all workers

In a statement issued on the occasion of International Migrant Workers' Day (December 18), GEFONT General Secretary Comrade  Janak Chaudhary said that no one should be deprived of wages and employment under the pretext of COVID-19

December 18 an important day to bring the suffering and needs of migrant workers around the world. GEFONT believes that no one should be discriminated against in the value and dignity of non-discriminatory labor and skills.
The statement further  stressed the need to ensure protection and facilities for migrant workers in accordance with the laws of the destination country.

GEFONT has extended best wishes to all the workers on the occasion of Migrant Workers' Day.

The training conducted by the GEFONT to the members of affiliated unions Independent Transport workers Union Nepal (ITWAN), Nepal Auto Mechanics Trade Union (NATU), and Nepal Security Service Trade Union(NSSTU) had concluded at GEFONT continue Trade Union school.

The training of the 30th batch was inaugurated by GEFONT President Binod Shrestha on 14th September and concluded by distributing certificates of participation to the participants on September 16. Distributing the certificate of participation, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha said that the training program conducted by GEFONT for 3 trade unions with different natures of work, said that it will prove to be a milestone for the expansion and development of the organization in their respective fields.

 

In the training program, GEFONT Vice President Bidur Karki trained regarding the international trade union movement and socialism, GEFONT Vice President Janak Chaudhary trained regarding Labour law and GEFONT General Secretary Laxman Sharma trained regarding the policies and program passed by the GEFONT 8th National Congress. Likewise, Secretary of Publicity and Publication department Mahendra Lal Shrestha trained regarding information archiving.

The extended meeting of the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) Gandaki Province was held in the GEFONT assembly hall Pokhara under the Presidency of province president Rudra Bahadur Khatri.

CPN UML Gandaki Province secretariat member and GEFONT Gandaki province in-charge Mina Gurung was the chief guest of the program,` 501 members election mobilization committee was formed under the presidency of Gandaki province President Rudra Bahadur Khatri to elect the  CPN UML candidates in the upcoming parliamentary and provincial polls scheduled for November 20.

 

Secretary of GEFONT Province Binu Gurung informed that the meeting decided to advance the campaign to increase 2 voters equal to 1 GEFONT member and secure 5 voters, mobilize GEFONT members in every booth and form an election mobilization committee by the municipality under GEFONT.

The gathering and training program of the GEFONT Bharatpur Metropolitan Municipality committee was held under the presidency of committee President Rudra Upreti in the hall of Bharatpur Cancer Hospital.

Chief Guest CPN UML Politburo member and Chitwan district in-charge Devi Gyawali said that there should be ensuring Social Security for all workers. Saying that only organized power can lead to change and she stated organizational expansion to the local level in order to expand the power of GEFONT.

 

Guest of the program party District President Ram Prasad Neupane said that "they should also be equally responsible for their duties while the workers are searching for their rights, and other trade unions should also learn from GEFONT." Vice president of NABUN Anju Gurung emphasized the need for worker registration through the labour desk at the local level and GEFONT Bagmati province member Shanti Subedi told about the rationale and importance of the program.

GEFONT Bagmati Province President Ramhari Nepal has trained about the policies and programs passed by the GEFONT 8th National Congress and Vice President Arjun Aryal has trained about trade unions and politics.

The program was conducted by the Secretary of GEFONT Bharatpur Metropolis Rajan Dhakal while Deputy Secretary Fullu Adhikari made a welcome remark. The gathering has formed a 351-member election mobilization committee under the coordination of Anju Gurung.