GAN flays workers protest; calls to raise their issues through formal channel

June 15, 2006
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The Garment Association-Nepal (GAN) on Wednesday strongly denounced the strike resorted to by factory workers at different garment industries across the country.

A public notice issued by the GAN said, workers involved in such acts have brought factories to a complete halt, jeopardizing the entire garment industry.

GAN has alleged that some workers in the factories have continued with protests flouting the decision of both official and non-official trade unions active in those factories.

Talking to Nepalnews, first vice president of GAN, Prashant Kumar Pokhrel, who also looks after labour department, said that they are not against trade union rights but added all workers should come through official channels for negotiation.

He informed that workers in more than half the industries affiliated to GAN have stopped work raising various issues.

According to GAN, of the 300 garment industries operating in the country in 2003, only 35 are running till date and more than 12 industries are waiting the government’s nod to shutdown the operations.

Pokhrel said that the government should create conducive environment for operation of garment industries. He said that the government should make the provision of shutting down the industry simple.

“The export of readymade garment declined by over 59 percent in 2005 as compared to the year 2003, following the termination of quota system for export of readymade garment to the US,” he added.

Stating that the GAN is ready to find solution of all issues related to labour, he urged all labourers to present their demands through official trade unions and also urged the government to create conducive environment for operations.