Saorsa
10th December 2010, 00:35
Maoist union demands 117 pc hike in wages
ISHWAR RAUNIYAR
KATHMANDU, DEC 07 -
The Maoist affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation-Revolutionary (ANTUF-R) has sent shockwaves among industrialists and the business community by demanding a 117 percent hike in minimum wages for workers across all sectors.
The Union has demanded an increase from the current minimum Rs. 4,600 wage to Rs. 10,000, excluding other allowances, and at least Rs. 400 per day for daily wage earners.
Currently, daily wages vary according to jobs. Workers at tea factories get Rs. 100, agriculture labourers get Rs. 150 and other labourers are paid Rs. 190 per day.
“Inflation has skyrocketed in the past two years, but workers are forced to adjust their lives on meagre old wage,” said Shalik Ram Jamarkattel, Chairman of ANTUF-R. “Both the government and non-government sectors should increase the salaries of their workers.” The new budget introduced through the ordinance has failed to control price rise, he said.
The business community has strongly objected to the trade union’s demands, calling it “unscientific and politically motivated”. “They should first evaluate the situation whether their demands are logical,” said Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). “The demand to increase the wage to Rs. 10,000 can never be met.” Suraj Vaidya, another Vice President of FNCCI, said that the problem can’t be solved by just looking at one side of the coin. “Who will provide jobs to the workers if the industries were to close because they can’t meet the kinds of demand workers are making?” he said.
Two years ago, trade unions affiliated to major parties had agitated for a wage hike. The Minimum Wages Determination Committee formed after the protest had increased basic salary from Rs. 2,200 to Rs. 3,000 and the allowance was hiked from Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,600.
Though the Maoist union has threatened to launch a massive protest if the demands are not met, other unions say they aren’t joining the bandwagon this time.
“It is right to demand an increase in the salaries and wages, but it can’t be done arbitrarily,” said Bishnu Rimal, chairman of the CPN UML-affiliated General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT). The ANTUF-R is represented in the seven trade unions Joint Trade Union Coordination Committee (JTUCC). The fact that they are acting unilaterally indicates that they have their own vested interests, said Rimal.
“The JTUCC has been deliberating on the issue of wage hike, but ANTUF-R has so far failed to attend any of our meetings,” said Rimal. He claimed that the Maoist absence from the JTUCC has delayed sending representatives to the Wage Determination Committee that would fix the new minimum wage.
Many in the rival trade unions see this as a part of the Maoist tactic for mass agitation in preparations for their ‘urban revolt’ - something the Maoists have denied.
http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/12/07/top-story/maoist-union-demands-117-pc-hike-in-wages/215740/
Maoist stir warning on petro price hike
Added At: 2010-12-09 10:29 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-09 10:29 PM
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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: UCPN-M today warned Nepal Oil Corporation it would take to the streets if NOC did not roll back its decision hiking the price of petroleum products.
Issuing a press statement, Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma demanded that the government revoke the decision without delay and revert to the old price of diesel, petrol and LP gas. “The decision to effect an untimely and non-transparent price hike in petroleum products at the gesture of support from the caretaker government is highly condemnable as it will add to the woes of consumers. It will have a chain effect on transportation fare and price of kitchen staples,” said the statement.
The Maoists also served the government with two options — take back the price hike or face the ire of people on the streets. “The government itself will be responsible for any adverse situation if it fails to lend an ear to our demand,” read the statement.
The party blamed the corruption within NOC for frequent imposition of the burden of price hike on the people. “Our party also demands that the all-powerful parliamentary committee probe the corruption and leakage within NOC to bring the guilty to book and to have in place a reasonable price fixation mechanism at the earliest,” said the Maoists.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Maoist+stir+warning+on+petro +price+hike&NewsID=268887
Biplav for complete revolution
Says it need not be an armed conflict
Added At: 2010-12-09 10:43 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-09 10:43 PM
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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: Standing committee member of the UCPN-Maoist, Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’, today said there is no alternative to a ‘complete revolution’.
He, however, hastened to add that such a revolution need not be an armed conflict. “There are several ways of launching the revolution,” Chand argued, launching Lalmorchaka Ghaite Yoddhaharusanga, a book penned by Dambar Rawal. He said the sixth extended meeting held in Palungtar has directed the party to bring about transformation in the Nepali society, which has remained ‘unchanged’ despite the decade-long war. “We have returned from Palungtar with a pledge to end the political deadlock.”
Fundamental change is a must in security bodies and other sectors, but we should strengthen our economic status first, he said.
Chand said other parties were concerned about 19,000 Maoist fighters, while his party was worried over the nation’s future.
Revolt a ‘must’
KATHMANDU: President of All Nepal Public Health Workers’ Association, Mangal Biswokarma, said there is no option but to wage an urban-centric revolt. He was speaking at a book launch on Thursday.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Biplav+for+complete+revoluti on&NewsID=268893
ANNISU-R convention from today
Added At: 2010-12-09 10:26 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-09 10:26 PM
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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KIRTIPUR: The four-day long 18th National Convention of UCPN-Maoist aligned student union All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) is all set to begin tomorrow in Kirtipur.
Organising a press conference today, ANNISU-R said preparation for the convention were almost completed.
Lekhnath Neupane, president of ANNISU-R said 1,818 ANNISU-R representatives throughout the country would be participating.
He said, “25 international student leaders from 12 different countries would be participating in the convention.” adding, “Some of them have arrived in Kathmandu while some are on the way.”
Referring to the rumor of three contenders for the union presidency, namely,Yubaraj Chaulagain, vice president; Himal Sharma, general secretary; and Lekhnath Neupane, President; he said that none had filed their candidacy for chairmanship.
He said, “The next leadership would also be elected unanimously.”
According to Neupane, the convention will discuss statute amendment, students’ contribution, students’ protest, future education programmes and other academic issues.
Chaulagain said academic issues, included changing Philosophy of Education, prioritising technical education, banning commercialisation in education and special privileges in education, among others, would be discussed.
The revolutionary student union is expecting participation of 100,000 students in the convention. The convention will elect a 148-member central committee and 45-member secretariat .
They have collected Rs 5 million from donation from educational institutions and businessmen to successfully conclude the convention.
It is said that the student union had asked for around Rs 400,000 from reputed educational institutions for the convention.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=ANNISU-R+convention+from+today+&NewsID=268884
ISHWAR RAUNIYAR
KATHMANDU, DEC 07 -
The Maoist affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation-Revolutionary (ANTUF-R) has sent shockwaves among industrialists and the business community by demanding a 117 percent hike in minimum wages for workers across all sectors.
The Union has demanded an increase from the current minimum Rs. 4,600 wage to Rs. 10,000, excluding other allowances, and at least Rs. 400 per day for daily wage earners.
Currently, daily wages vary according to jobs. Workers at tea factories get Rs. 100, agriculture labourers get Rs. 150 and other labourers are paid Rs. 190 per day.
“Inflation has skyrocketed in the past two years, but workers are forced to adjust their lives on meagre old wage,” said Shalik Ram Jamarkattel, Chairman of ANTUF-R. “Both the government and non-government sectors should increase the salaries of their workers.” The new budget introduced through the ordinance has failed to control price rise, he said.
The business community has strongly objected to the trade union’s demands, calling it “unscientific and politically motivated”. “They should first evaluate the situation whether their demands are logical,” said Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). “The demand to increase the wage to Rs. 10,000 can never be met.” Suraj Vaidya, another Vice President of FNCCI, said that the problem can’t be solved by just looking at one side of the coin. “Who will provide jobs to the workers if the industries were to close because they can’t meet the kinds of demand workers are making?” he said.
Two years ago, trade unions affiliated to major parties had agitated for a wage hike. The Minimum Wages Determination Committee formed after the protest had increased basic salary from Rs. 2,200 to Rs. 3,000 and the allowance was hiked from Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,600.
Though the Maoist union has threatened to launch a massive protest if the demands are not met, other unions say they aren’t joining the bandwagon this time.
“It is right to demand an increase in the salaries and wages, but it can’t be done arbitrarily,” said Bishnu Rimal, chairman of the CPN UML-affiliated General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT). The ANTUF-R is represented in the seven trade unions Joint Trade Union Coordination Committee (JTUCC). The fact that they are acting unilaterally indicates that they have their own vested interests, said Rimal.
“The JTUCC has been deliberating on the issue of wage hike, but ANTUF-R has so far failed to attend any of our meetings,” said Rimal. He claimed that the Maoist absence from the JTUCC has delayed sending representatives to the Wage Determination Committee that would fix the new minimum wage.
Many in the rival trade unions see this as a part of the Maoist tactic for mass agitation in preparations for their ‘urban revolt’ - something the Maoists have denied.
http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/12/07/top-story/maoist-union-demands-117-pc-hike-in-wages/215740/
Maoist stir warning on petro price hike
Added At: 2010-12-09 10:29 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-09 10:29 PM
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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: UCPN-M today warned Nepal Oil Corporation it would take to the streets if NOC did not roll back its decision hiking the price of petroleum products.
Issuing a press statement, Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma demanded that the government revoke the decision without delay and revert to the old price of diesel, petrol and LP gas. “The decision to effect an untimely and non-transparent price hike in petroleum products at the gesture of support from the caretaker government is highly condemnable as it will add to the woes of consumers. It will have a chain effect on transportation fare and price of kitchen staples,” said the statement.
The Maoists also served the government with two options — take back the price hike or face the ire of people on the streets. “The government itself will be responsible for any adverse situation if it fails to lend an ear to our demand,” read the statement.
The party blamed the corruption within NOC for frequent imposition of the burden of price hike on the people. “Our party also demands that the all-powerful parliamentary committee probe the corruption and leakage within NOC to bring the guilty to book and to have in place a reasonable price fixation mechanism at the earliest,” said the Maoists.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Maoist+stir+warning+on+petro +price+hike&NewsID=268887
Biplav for complete revolution
Says it need not be an armed conflict
Added At: 2010-12-09 10:43 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-09 10:43 PM
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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: Standing committee member of the UCPN-Maoist, Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’, today said there is no alternative to a ‘complete revolution’.
He, however, hastened to add that such a revolution need not be an armed conflict. “There are several ways of launching the revolution,” Chand argued, launching Lalmorchaka Ghaite Yoddhaharusanga, a book penned by Dambar Rawal. He said the sixth extended meeting held in Palungtar has directed the party to bring about transformation in the Nepali society, which has remained ‘unchanged’ despite the decade-long war. “We have returned from Palungtar with a pledge to end the political deadlock.”
Fundamental change is a must in security bodies and other sectors, but we should strengthen our economic status first, he said.
Chand said other parties were concerned about 19,000 Maoist fighters, while his party was worried over the nation’s future.
Revolt a ‘must’
KATHMANDU: President of All Nepal Public Health Workers’ Association, Mangal Biswokarma, said there is no option but to wage an urban-centric revolt. He was speaking at a book launch on Thursday.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Biplav+for+complete+revoluti on&NewsID=268893
ANNISU-R convention from today
Added At: 2010-12-09 10:26 PM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-09 10:26 PM
The Himalayan Times - Saved Articles(s)
The headlines has been added to your saved article(s)
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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KIRTIPUR: The four-day long 18th National Convention of UCPN-Maoist aligned student union All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) is all set to begin tomorrow in Kirtipur.
Organising a press conference today, ANNISU-R said preparation for the convention were almost completed.
Lekhnath Neupane, president of ANNISU-R said 1,818 ANNISU-R representatives throughout the country would be participating.
He said, “25 international student leaders from 12 different countries would be participating in the convention.” adding, “Some of them have arrived in Kathmandu while some are on the way.”
Referring to the rumor of three contenders for the union presidency, namely,Yubaraj Chaulagain, vice president; Himal Sharma, general secretary; and Lekhnath Neupane, President; he said that none had filed their candidacy for chairmanship.
He said, “The next leadership would also be elected unanimously.”
According to Neupane, the convention will discuss statute amendment, students’ contribution, students’ protest, future education programmes and other academic issues.
Chaulagain said academic issues, included changing Philosophy of Education, prioritising technical education, banning commercialisation in education and special privileges in education, among others, would be discussed.
The revolutionary student union is expecting participation of 100,000 students in the convention. The convention will elect a 148-member central committee and 45-member secretariat .
They have collected Rs 5 million from donation from educational institutions and businessmen to successfully conclude the convention.
It is said that the student union had asked for around Rs 400,000 from reputed educational institutions for the convention.
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=ANNISU-R+convention+from+today+&NewsID=268884