Nearly 50 textile industries of Birjung closed down from Thursday for an indefinite period due to the dispute between management and trade unions.
Birgunj Chambers of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) decided to shut down industries for an indefinite period after the trade unions did not come for talks to find amicable solutions of the issues of appointment letters, minimum wage and formation of new labour act.
The BCCI had asked the three large trade unions, Nepali Congress (NC) affiliated Nepal Trade Union Congress, CPN UML affiliated General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (Gefont) and NC (Democratic) affiliated Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions to come for talks within 72 hours on Sunday and warned of industrial shutdown if they failed to respond to its call for negotiations.
The trade unions refused to take part in the talks citing the threatening tone of the chamber. On the other hand, the BCCI said that the chamber was forced to issue such a warning note after trade union officials showed indifference to its repeated calls for talks.
Some industries of the area had shut down operation as soon as the trade unions submitted their demands to the management.
Meanwhile reports quoted Confederation of Nepalese Industries as saying that Gorkha Brewery of Nawalparasi and Himalayan Snacks and noodles of Kavrepalanchowk were also closed from Thursday due to the dispute between the management and trade unions.