As the contribution-based social security system implemented by Nepali trade unions since the 27th of November 2018, which was established after a long struggle of almost two decades, enters its seventh year, GEFONT President Binod Shrestha has said that while protecting the achievements, it is necessary to work even harder for accomplishing greater ambitions.

He said this at a national gathering organized by the Joint Trade Union Coordination Center (JTUCC) on November 25 on the problems of outsourced workers, implementation of social security, and contemporary issues regarding the labor market.

President Shrestha emphasized that the entire labor movement should work together to fulfill the responsibility of protecting the achievements of the movement by breaking the hoax against social security while advancing for the prosperity of the working people.

At the gathering chaired by JTUCC President Yogendra Kunwar, ANTUF President Jagat Simkhada spoke about the problems of outsourced workers and the role that trade unions should play.

General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) President Binod Shrestha has said that the implementation of contribution-based social security is a success for Nepal's trade union movement.

President Shrestha said this while addressing a provincial-level labor conference organized by the Joint Trade Union Coordination Center (JTUCC) Far-west Province Coordination Committee in Dhangadhi on December 23. 

President Shrestha said that just as retired government employees receive pensions, 587 workers from across the country who are affiliated with the contribution-based social security fund are also receiving pensions and many workers are receiving service facilities for being affiliated with the fund. However, we trade unionists are not satisfied with the speed and effectiveness with which it is being implemented.

Emphasizing the need for a unified trade union to solve the problems emerging in Nepal's labor market, President Shrestha said that everyone should move forward together to make the labor movement successful by saying not “I” but “we”.

The program was attended by Dev Bahadur Bam, Coordinator of the Cooperative Management Department of GEOFNT, Provincial President Jit Bahadur Malla, JTUCC board members and local leaders of JTUCC.
 

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.

The International Trade Union Confederation – Nepal Affiliated Committee (ITUC–NAC) started a training program on communication and report writing from 7 August 2025.

The training was inaugurated under the chairmanship of ITUC–NAC Coordinator Yogendra Kunwar, where GEFONT President Binod Shrestha highlighted the crucial importance of communication in making the trade union movement successful.

President Shrestha stated that with the rapid development of communication technology, its proper use can greatly facilitate organizational mobilization and the advancement of the trade union movement. Therefore, given the changes in information technology, such training programs are essential for enhancing the skills of trade union activists in this area.

On the first day of the two-day training program, Amar Dhoj Lama provided training on the fundamentals of communication, effective use of social media, online campaigns, and content creation. On the second day, Tilak Jung Khadka will provide training on report writing.

A total of 18 participants from GEFONT, NTUC, and ANTUF took part in the training program.