KATHMANDU, MAY 02 -
The 125th International Labour Day, also known as ‘May Day’, was
observed across the country on Thursday, organising various programmes.
Stakeholders, including trade unions, organised rallies, interactions
and mass meetings.
Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), affiliated to the Nepali Congress,
organised a rally from Tripureshwor to Bashantapur, where it turned into
a mass gathering. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala also attended the mass
meet.
The General Federations of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), another
major labour organisation affiliated to the CPN-UML, also organised a
rally. GEFONT President Bishnu Rimal addressed the concluding event of
the rally.
All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), affiliated to UCPN (Maoist)
too held a rally from Ratna Park. The union said it refrained from
organising multiple events due to the UCPN (Maoist) national convention
in Biratnagar. Leaders of the union addressed the rally.
The CPN-Maoist-aligned trade union too organised a mass meet at Santi
Batika in Ratna Park, Kathmandu. Senior party leader Netra Bikram Chand
addressed the meet.
The Confederation of Nepalese Professionals (CoNEP), a professional
association close to the CPN-UML, hosted an event at Nepal Academy Hall
in Kamaladi, Kathmandu. CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal addressed the
event.
Stakeholders demanded minimum wages and social security during various
events organised nationwide. They also urged that workers’ rights,
including social security, be guaranteed through the constitution.
The government has already devised social security plans for workers,
covering accidents at workplace, maternity protection, facilities during
the illness and medical treatment facilities. The government is also
planning five more similar plans. However, due to the absence of Labour
Act
and Social Security Act, the social security provisions have not been implemented yet.
May Day is celebrated all over the world in the commemoration of the
Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886, when the Chicago police fired on
workers during a general strike, demanding eight-hour working days,
killing several demonstrators.
More than 80 countries across the globe mark the day on May 1
simultaneously. Most of the countries, including Nepal, have a provision
of a general holiday on May 1.
On the occasion, PM Koirala congratulated the labours spread across the nation and abroad.
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