An Asia-Pacific level program on challenges in the world of work and their solutions, organized by 3F Denmark, began in Kathmandu on August 20, 2025.

Speaking at the event, General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) Patron Bishnu Rimal stated that exploitation of workers continues in the labour world, but it has changed from the past. He explained that the use of the internet and AI technology is now enabling the exploitation of workers across the globe.

Patron Rimal emphasized that trade unions must change their policies, laws, and tools to cope with this new situation, adding that the effectiveness of trade unions can contribute to transforming not only the working class but society as a whole.

GEFONT President Binod Shrestha welcomed the participants and highlighted the current state of the labour movement and the responsibilities of the trade union movement.

Speakers at the program included BWI Asia-Pacific Coordinator Apolino Tolentino (Dong), IndustriALL representative Asutosh, and senior South Asian trade unionist Sultan, among others. The session was facilitated by 3F Asia Coordinator Buddhi Acharya.

On the first day of the three-day program, GEFONT General Secretary Laxman Sharma presented a working paper on GEFONT’s new initiatives for the protection of workers’ rights and interests in the changing world of work.

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The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT)-affiliated, Nepal Street Vendors' Trade Union (NEST) held the second Bagmati Province convention on August 20, 2025, and elected a 13-member committee under the leadership of Nanimarya Basnet.

Inaugurating the convention, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha stated that the organization is a common home for all, and every effort made is for a brighter future for workers. He highlighted that, due to the struggles of predecessors, workers today enjoy organizational freedom, inclusion in social security, and access to various rights.

President Shrestha further emphasized that the labour movement has produced numerous leaders who are now contributing at the policy-making level, and expressed confidence that further achievements in workers’ rights can only be ensured through a strong, disciplined, and continuously committed organization and activists.

The convention also featured goodwill remarks from NEST Central President Maya Gurung, GEFONT Bagmati Province President Ramhari Nepal, NEST General Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha, and CPN-UML Workers’ Special District Committee President Tulshi Shiwakoti, among others.

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The Whole Industry Trade Union, Nepal (WHIN), affiliated with the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), held a workers’ gathering at SR Drugs on August 20, 2025.

The meeting was chaired by WHIN SR Drugs President Bikram Maharjan and graced by GEFONT Bagmati Province President Ramhari Nepal as the chief guest. The gathering discussed the implementation of the increased minimum wage from the new fiscal year, and matters related to past contributions, savings, and bonuses following enrollment in the Social Security Fund.

With the participation of WHIN Central Deputy General Secretary Arjun Chaulagai and GEFONT Chandragiri Municipality President Rajbhai Shrestha, the meeting also decided to form a collective bargaining committee to present a memorandum of demands to management.

On August 19, 2025, the Nepal Health Volunteers’ Association (NEVA), affiliated with GEFONT, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Hon. Yam Lal Kadel.

The memorandum, led by NEVA Central Member Bhimu Rijal, along with Birendranagar Municipality Chairperson Menaka Acharya and other leaders, called for including health volunteers in the Contribution-Based Social Security Fund, among other demands.

On August 17, 2025, the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) conducted a training on gender-based violence and equality at the workplace for garbage cleaners.

The training, held in Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur District, was facilitated by Nepal Garbage Cleaners Workers’ Employee Union (NGCEU) President Mohan Nepali and GEFONT Program Coordinator Shankar Ghimire.

On August 19, 2025, the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) Panauti Municipality Committee organized a Teej program.

Speaking at the event, GEFONT Bagmati Province President Ram Hari Nepal stressed the need to establish a labour desk at the municipal level, ensure workers’ registration, and create pressure to enroll workers in the contribution-based Social Security Fund to guarantee the rights of women workers.

At the program, CPN-UML Panauti Municipal Committee President Suresh Humagain emphasized that Teej should be celebrated as a festival to experience freedom and be aware of labor rights.

Chaired by Kalpana Thapa and conducted by Rita Tamang, the program also featured best wishes speeches from GEFONT Province Women’s Committee President Shanti Karki and District Secretary Shyam Sapkota.