General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) held the program on the occasion of the 72nd birth anniversary of figurehead Madan Bhandari at Tulsilal Smriti Bhawan on July 1.
 
Addressing the program CPN-UML's Executive Secretary General, Pradip Gyawali, praised the significant impact of Comrade Madan Bhandari's short yet influential life. He emphasized Bhandari's established leadership in the hearts of the Nepali people and the Communist Movement, considering him an enduring source of inspiration for the nation's politics.
 

He recalled Madan Bhandari, who emerged during a fervent debate between capitalist and socialist factions in Nepal. He remarked that Marxist ideology has reached new heights, presenting the principle of people's multi-party democracy amidst challenging circumstances.

In the program, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha highlighted the distinctive aspects of the people's multiparty democracy advocated by the esteemed leader Madan Bhandari, saying that Bhandari was a dedicated activist fighting for the rights of the working class in Nepal. He stressed the significance of commemorating the movement for workers and continuing the struggle to improve their standard of living and to encourage the common workers.

During the program, there was an interaction between the chief guest Pradip Gyawali and participants about Madan Bhandari's contributions to the labour movement, the vision of a prosperous Nepal and happy Nepali, and the concept of People's Multiparty Democracy.

In the program, GEFONT showcased a portrait of the revered leader Madan Bhandari and announced their plan to publish a book in his memory, titled "Why do I miss Madan Bhandari?" They invited the participants to share their thoughts on the topic in written form.

A gathering of the leading workers of the affiliate union of GEFONT held at the GEFONT assembly hall on July 6 organized by GEFONT announced to launch of the nationwide motion demanding the immediate announce decent wages for workers.

GEFONT President Binod Shrestha said that this year is the year to review the minimum wages as per the labour law of Nepal, which mandates reviewing the minimum wages every 2 years in accordance with the minimum wage review system for workers, saying that during this period the price of food items, educational sector, house rent, transport fare and health services have increased and mentioned that due to the not able to tie contribution-based social security fund, they are forced accept immature death or live with ailment due to the unaffordable health care services.
 

Considering this fact, President Shrestha says "We submitted a written proposal on behalf of JTUCC to the government and employers to set a minimum wage for all earners equal to the first class of government employees during the Minimum Wage Determination Committee meeting."
 
Shrestha said that delaying minimum wage determination is a significant injustice; shrestha strongly demanded a fair and unanimous declaration for all labourers, both in the formal and informal sectors, including those working in agriculture, tea plantations, construction, and other areas. He urged the government and employers to collaborate and address the rightful demands of all workers.
 

President Shrestha urged people to prepare for a movement, warning of a nationwide strike if workers' wages are not increased promptly.

The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) submitted a memorandum on July  9  to the labour and employment offices across the country demanding an increase in the minimum wages within the month of June/July.
Thousands of workers have submitted the memorandums from Chandragadi in East Koshi to Labour and Employment Office in Dhangadi in Far West along with the banner of determination of living wages.

Likewise, GEFONT affiliate 21 Union have submitted a memorandum to Nepal Government Labour and Employment Department Kathmandu by pressurized to increase workers' remuneration and determine the living wages.

In the memorandum with accordance the provision of reviewing the minimum wages of workers in 2/2 years in the memorandum, since the current year is the year of reviewing the wages of workers, during this period the price of food items, educational sector, house rent, transport fare and health services have increased and mentioned that due to the not able to tie contribution-based social security fund, they are forced accept immature death or live with ailment due to the unaffordable health care services.

Considering this fact, It is mentioned in the memorandum submitted on behalf of the trade unions to the Minimum Wage Determination Committee that we together with the government and employers have proposed to make the minimum wages of all wage earners equal to the wage of the lowest level employees of the government of Nepal.
 
Through a memorandum, GEFONT has strongly demanded the government and employers to declare the decent wages of workers in all sectors including agriculture, tea, construction and transportation in the formal sector as well as those working in the informal sector, saying that the delay in determining the minimum wage is a big injustice.
 
Meanwhile, the memorandum was submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Employment in the Biratnagar and Chandragarhi of Koshi Province, Janakpur and Birgunj of Madhesh Province, Kathmandu and Hetauda of Bagmati Province, Pokhara of Gandaki Province, Butwal and Nepalgunj of Lumbini Province, Surkhet of Karnali Province and Dhangadhi of Sudur Paschim Province through labour rallies led by the GEFONT province committee with the demand for immediate increase wages.
 
It was also stated in the memorandum that if the wages of the workers are not increased on time, then the workers will be forced to go on strike across the country.
 

The general federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) organised a trainers training on occupational health and safety at hotel heaven grand on July 9, for the workers working in the tea and cardamom sector of Jhapa, Ilam, Pachthar, Taplejung and Dhankuta Districts of Koshi province.
 
During the training 34 trainer leaders participated held with the aim of making the workplace safe and dignified by expanding the organization in the tea and cardamom sector.

The coordinator of the tea garden area union Santa Rai highlighted the rationale of the program, while the training of trainers was facilitated by Bidur Karki Vice president and head of the Education Department.

GEFONT Koshi province   President Kishor Dhamala disclosing about the future work plan of GEFONT to expand the organization in that area and said that within the month of June July, a gathering of leading workers will be organized separately in Jhapa, Ilam and Dhankuta for the training programs on occupational health and safety.

The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) has renewed the agreement between GEFONT and Helping Hand Community Hospital to provide treatment concession to the GEFONT member and their families at affordable rates for 2 years.

GEFONT and Helping Hand have been collaborating since 2010 A.D. providing mutual support.

As per the memorandum signed on July 10 by GEFONT president Binod Shrestha, and the Executive President of the hospital, GEFONT members and their families will receive a 50% discount on general beds, a 15% discount on Cabin and a 10% discount on medicine, ICU, oxygen, and all types of operations.

Government Ready to Address Demands of Sagar Nath Forest Development Project Workers Engaged in Protest Since July 25. Labour Strike Program Concludes with Formation of Team Alongside Government's Commitment for Resolution.

As per the decision  of the problem resolution committee made by Ministry of Forests and Environment  on August 2 decided to submit a report to the ministry of forestry to manage the remaining salary of workers for 11 month until August 6 and to implement the verdict  of the supreme court regarding  the wages earners workers the social security.

The Sagarnath Forest Project was established in 2033 B.S. in Madesh Province  Sarlahi District Ishwarpur Municipality Ward No. 4 under the oversight of the forest product Development Committee of the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forestry and Environment.

Even after the consensus reached on April 19 2023, in the presence of office of the District Administration Office, Sarlahi, regarding the demand for minimum wages and facilities as per the Labour Act made by laborers who had worked diligently for 30 to 35 years in this project, the project did not implement the agreements. In light of this, the workers sought justice as per the law. They sent petitions to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Forest Nursery Development Committee, and issued a public statement against the Sagar Nath Forest Development Project.

Even the Supreme Court has issued mandamus on 24th May 2023 to provide wages and facilities to the workers despite the project did not comply with the Supreme Court's mandate, the workers were staging a sit-in at the Forest Department office in Kathmandu from July 9, demanding wages and job security for the past 11 months.