The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT) has completed a three-day training program for legal literacy and trade union education at the GEFONT Trade Union School, Anamnagar. The program was held from July 7 to July 9.

GEFONT President Binod Shrestha, while inaugurating the training program on July 7, said that the training can help increase competence of women workers and also help them get educated on labour laws.

During the three-day training program, GEFONT vice president Bidur Karki provided training on the subject of foundational trade union and leadership development, Sita Lama on gender and policy of GEFONT, General Secretary Laxman Sharma on the program and policy of GEFONT, and Bhakti Ghimire gave training on labour laws.

The program, which included 25 women from the districts of Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Bara and Parsa was organised by Shankar Ghimire, while Basanta Thapa of ILO provided information on the importance of the program.

In celebration of the 45th foundation day of the Nepal Independent Hotel, Casino and Restaurant Workers’ Union (NIHWU): The Soaltee Hotel Unit distributed food to 238 needy people at Sri Manav Sewa Ashram Banasthali on July 7.

Unit President Shiva Prasad Timilsina, Vice President Badri Kumar Bhandari, General Secretary Kamal Ghimire along with CPN (UML) Nagarjun Municipal Committee President Nandahari Gautam were present at the event.

GEFONT has organised a special program on the occasion of the one year anniversary of Shramik Khabar (Shramik Khabar) from July 8th and evaluated the news and activities of the year. In the event chaired by the head vice president of the Department of Publicity and Publication Jitendra Shrestha, chief guest and president Binod Shrestha expressed his happiness that Shramik Khabar, which was published monthly by hand during the establishment of the federation, has now evolved into a daily digital broadcast. He voiced his belief that Shramik Khabar will cover any topic of labour in a more refined and developed manner in the coming days.

In the program hosted by General Secretary Laxman Sharma, Secretary Mahendra Lal Shrestha presented a report of achievements and plans and requested the attendees for suggestions.

Vice President Bidur Karki, Sita Lama, Deputy General Secretary Kamala Tamang, Secretaries Krishna KC, Smriti Lama, Tara Nidhi Pant, Bijaya Khadka, presidents of affiliated unions, and leaders related to the campaign participated in the program.

In addition, a section in the program was dedicated to share the experience of participants of foreign programs representing the federation. President Binod Shrestha, NEVA President Geeta Thing, JTCG-CWUN Vice President Phoolmaya Tamang, IMPRESSION Vice President Kirana Mali and Youth President Vicky Shrestha shared their experiences.

In a program held at Lalitpur on July 6, GEFONT General Secretary Laxman Sharma has voiced his opinion on the matter of sending Nepali workers to Israel. He said, “the subject of sending labour workers to Israel is not a topic of discussion. Under no circumstances should workers be sent there amidst the current crisis, and the government should stop any such processes immediately.”

Demanding an immediate stop to the process initiated by the Nepalese government to send workers as "caregivers", General Secretary Sharma informed that GEFONT has decided against sending workers to Israel at the meeting of the Foreign Employment Board, emphasising that, "to live is the first right."

A rescue team of 15 people has been formed under the leadership of GEFONT Far-western Province President Jit Malla for the rescue of flood victims in various places of Kailali district due to heavy rains for 4 consecutive days.

Provincial President Jit Malla has informed that the rescue team has carried out rescue operations in the submerged area and the operation is still ongoing in areas where the situation has remained unchanged.

GEFONT has expressed sorrowful regret and demanded legal action over the murder of 4 Nepali workers employed at a coal mine in Meghalaya, India in a press report published on July 6.

GEFONT has expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families over the news from Indian media of dead bodies of the four undisclosed Nepali workers being found in the Upling market in East Jaintia Hills.

Through the Nepal government, GEFONT has requested the relevant agencies to disclose the identity of the deceased and deduce the reason for the murder, and regardless of the cause, to take legal action against the murderers and provide compensation to the families of the deceased.