Leader of a pro-Maoist trade union, that has called closure of 35 more industries from Friday, has said the movement has hurt interests of multi-national companies (MNCs) in Nepal.

In an op-ed article published in Rajdhani daily Friday, Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANFTU), Shalik Ram Jamarkattel, said the protest programme launched by its organization has hurt the interests of the MNCs, which “have taken total control of the Nepali industries.”

He also alleged the MNCs of opening up their offices to make profit by
exploiting cheap labour in the country.

“Embassies of India, Germany, France, US and UK have issued a joint statement against our movement and have alleged us of raising donations. But our organization hasn’t demanded donation from any industry or enterprise,” said Jamarkattel.

He further said that the objective of the on-going movement was to end
the present practice of hiring and firing employees by the capitalists rather than snatching bread away from the workers. “We have got no interests other than to protect the right of working class,” he added.

In a rally organized by employees of one dozen leading industries that
remain closed for the last 25 days, hundreds of workers protested the Maoists’ move in the capital, Kathmandu, Thursday and appealed to concerned sector to ensure smooth operations of their enterprises.

The Industrial Security Group, human rights activists and major trade unions in the country have also asked the Maoist-affiliated trade union to withdraw its movement.

The ANFTU’s major demands include making public whereabouts of its workers and leaders who have allegedly disappeared from the government custody and increase salary and benefits of workers. nepalnews.com by Sep 11 04