The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) has issued a nine-point declaration on the occasion of International Workers' Day.
The document was released at a press conference in Kathmandu today, highlighting key issues such as decent pay, lifelong social security, paid internships and training opportunities, a skills revolution, cooperation between workers and industries, empowerment of women workers, and the protection of migrant workers. It has emphasized the need for concrete action plan to further improve labour rights.
According to the declaration, production, power development, a technology-friendly workers’ movement, national prosperity, and the enhancement of workers’ rights through unity have been identified as the ideological foundations for advancing the trade union movement.
Recognizing challenges such as artificial intelligence, migration, rising prices, and wage stagnation in the current context, the federation has called for an assessment and analysis of the relevance of trade unions.
At the press meet, GEFONT Chair Binod Shrestha announced that a new campaign with a fresh approach will be launched in the interest of workers on the occasion of May Day.
Similarly, on May 1, which is globally observed as International Labour Day, around 1.5 million pamphlets containing information on workers’ rights will be distributed to households.
“Time demands that all concerned stakeholders review the status of the implementation of workers’ rights,” he said, adding that the federation is fully prepared to further strengthen workers’ voices in advocating for their rights.
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