Good relations between owners and workers stressed for sound industrial climate

Kathmandu / Dec 13: Speakers at a programme here today stressed on promoting amiable relations between the owners and workers for creating a healthy industrial environment in the country.

Speaking in the two-day seminar on ‘Industrial Relations and Labour Policy’ jointly organised by Nepal Trade Union Congress and Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF) here today, they argued that an industry or company would make strides only if the workers and the owners get to experience a win-win situation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi said an investment-friendly environment for foreign investors would be created in the country only if the domestic investors feel confident.

He said that there was no problem investing in Nepal and urged the Japanese delegates and the ambassador to relay this message back in Japan.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Masashi Ogawa said the number of workers in the informal sector in Japan was 40 per cent but the same was 90 per cent in Nepal. He stressed that the workers’ social security would be ensured only when this huge chunk of workers in the informal economy was reduced and formalised.

President of JILAF, Hirayuki Nagumo said JILAF has been running various programmes in Nepal in line with its policy of promoting international cooperation and social programmes in developing countries. He expressed the belief that the seminar would come up with concrete suggestions for building constructive labour relations.

Nepal Trade Union Congress president Khilanath Dahal said it is sad that the labour commission has not been formed yet when more than half a dozen commissions have been constituted and called for constituting the labour commission immediately.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Pashupati Murarka, president of General Confederation of Nepalese Industries (GEFONT) Bishnu Rimal, vice president of All Nepal Trade Union Federation, Ganesh Regmi among other speakers demanded passage of the Labour Act (Amendment) Bill and the Social Security Bill that are registered in the Parliament at the earliest. RSS