Government Decision to Abolish Partisan Trade Unions in Public Administration Sparks Debate
The government has decided to eliminate partisan trade unions within public administration and end political interference, mandating civil servants to perform their duties without affiliation to any party or interest group. Conflicting views have emerged between supporters and opponents of trade unions as the government prepares to draft a Civil Service Bill within 45 days.
Kathmandu, 15 Chaitra – Among the 100 administrative reform agendas ratified by the cabinet on the day the government was formed under senior Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Balendra Shah, the 12th point highlights the plan to abolish partisan trade unions in public administration. The aim is to end unwanted interference and informal pressure, thereby streamlining decision-making and service delivery. The government intends to maintain public administration free from political influence, ensuring it remains impartial, neutral, and accountable to citizens.
Accordingly, “Civil servants, including teachers and professors, will be required to perform their duties without any direct or indirect affiliation to political parties, groups, or interest centers; legal action will follow any violations.” However, discussions around abolishing partisan trade unions have revealed divided opinions.
Administrators and former employees largely support the government’s move, while union-affiliated staff members oppose it. Administration expert Kashiraj Dahal remarked that calls to remove partisan trade unions have existed for some time but never succeeded. “All parties have experienced the influence of trade unions during their governance, but none managed to remove them. This decision should be welcomed and implemented,” he added. Some former employees also argue that party-affiliated unions are unnecessary.
Revenue officer Shailendra Singh considers failure to dissolve party-aligned unions a barrier to civil service reform. “Apart from party-linked unions, faction-based unions have also emerged. Official trade unions are acceptable, but the sooner party-affiliated unions are dissolved, the better it is for everyone,” he asserted.
Party-affiliated unions legally incorporated under the National Trade Union Network include Nepal Civil Service Employees Union, Nepal Civil Servants Organization, Nepal National Civil Service Employees Organization, Unified Government Employees Organization, Madhesi Civil Service Employees Forum, and Independent Civil Servants Employees Organization.
After the government’s decision, the Civil Service Employees Union chairman Uttam Kutuwal noted ongoing internal consultations, stating, “We are not a partisan trade union but a national-level trade union defined by law.” Similarly, Lalbabu Yadav, chairman of the Madhesi Employees Forum, denied that his organization is partisan. Registered in Magh 2065 (Nepali calendar), it advocates for the rights and interests of Madhesi, Tharu, Muslim, and Dalit employees. “Being a partisan organization is not desirable, but unions formed for protecting employee rights are necessary,” Yadav explained.
Bhavani Nyaupane Dahal, chairperson of the Civil Service Employees Organization, mentioned that legal consultations are underway and all trade unions are preparing a joint stance. They appear to disagree with the government’s decision. “We have attained trade union rights through struggles, and many comrades lost their jobs for this cause. We are ready to correct shortcomings but abolition is unacceptable,” she stated.
Party-aligned employee organizations began to proliferate following 2048 BS (Nepali calendar). The Nepali Congress-led government at the time reversed disciplinary actions against nearly 1,000 employees who were punished during labor movements. After the political parties formed, employees reportedly stopped respecting political leadership.
Some union officials even reportedly showed disrespect towards the prime minister. Former Prime Minister Sushila Karki noted employees’ non-compliance. Former Public Service Commission chair Umesh Prasad Mainali explained that post-2046 BS political changes saw the creation of party-affiliated employee organizations aimed at fueling and suppressing employee movements alternately. According to Mainali, these organizations neglected their duty to work for employee welfare and instead focused on transfers and promotions. Political parties began to accept their recommendations, weakening discipline.
Mainali also noted that the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) had the most influence among employee organizations. “UML was more proactive than other parties. While nepotism existed in Congress, UML relied more strongly on party loyalty and aimed for partisan infiltration of administration,” he said.
Implementation Challenges of the Abolition Decision
Article 34(3) of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees every worker the right to form and join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. Additionally, Section 53 of the Civil Service Act 2049 outlines trade union provisions. Proponents of trade unions argue these legal provisions necessitate their continued existence.
Former chair Punya Prasad Dhakal emphasized management’s role, stating, “An official trade union is necessary. The Constitution and national and international laws must be respected.” Constitutional expert and administrator Kashiraj Dahal clarified that national and international laws ensure rights for labor and capital-related trade unions but that policy-making officials should not have trade unions. “If all employees are given trade union rights, then judges and security personnel would also need to be accorded such rights.”
The government plans to draft a federal Civil Service Bill within 45 days. The bill had previously stalled during the federal parliament’s legal process. However, implementation is expected to face significant challenges. Administrator Dahal recommends thorough legal amendments to ensure effective policy implementation following the government’s decision.