Ordinance Issued to Abolish Employee Trade Union System
The government has issued an ordinance to abolish the employee trade union system, promulgated by President Ramchandra Paudel on Sunday. The Rastriya Swatantra Party had included the removal of employee trade unions in its 100-point agenda. However, six party-affiliated employee organizations have warned of protests, demanding the continuation of the trade union system.
Kathmandu, 20 Baisakh — The government has terminated the employee trade union system. On Sunday, President Ramchandra Paudel promulgated an ordinance amending several Nepal Acts, including provisions to eliminate trade unions. The ordinance was issued upon the cabinet’s recommendation, introducing amendments to the law to end the trade union framework.
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has been preparing the Federal Civil Service Bill without including provisions for trade unions. The ordinance was issued while the bill’s draft was still under review and suggestions were being sought. A source stated, “There will be no partisan or official trade unions. However, mechanisms to hear employee grievances will remain intact.”
Following the removal of the official trade union framework, six party-affiliated employee organizations raised objections during the drafting of the bill. These organizations have issued statements demanding the inclusion of trade union provisions in the Civil Service Bill. The trade union network has also warned of phased protests if the government ignores the right of employees to organize for their professional rights and interests. The organizations giving this warning include the Nepal Civil Service Employees Organization, Nepal Civil Service Employee Union, Nepal National Civil Service Employee Organization, Unified Government Employees Organization, Nepal Madhesi Civil Service Employee Forum, and the Independent Civil Servants Association. The ministry claims that removing the trade union system is necessary to make civil service more effective and to free employees from partisan influence.