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Nepali transport unions join forces
22 May 2008
Two transport workers’ unions in Nepal have merged as part of efforts to strengthen their organising capacity.
Representatives of Nepal Yatayat Mazdoor Sangh (NETWON), an ITF-affiliated union, and the Nepal Transport Workers’ Assembly signed the merger agreement at a unification declaration ceremony on 11 May in Kathmandu. Khila Nath Dahal, Deputy President and Achyut Raj Pandey , General secretary of Nepal Trade Union Congress-Independent also attended the event. It was agreed that the new union would be known as NETWON in the interim; the name Nepal Yatayat and Allied Mazdoor Sangh will be proposed for the new union at the next national convention.
It was also agreed that Ajay Kumar Rai, formerly of NETWON, will be President of the union, while Sitaram Khatri, formerly of the Nepal Transport Workers’ Assembly, will take the position of Senior Vice-President. Representatives from both unions’ committees will also be brought on board. In addition, a management committee of eleven members – five from each of the unions plus the President – will be established for the new union.
Ajay Kumar Rai commented: “Taking a unified trade union stand is a burning issue in Nepal and this move is an example for other unions. Transport workers’ rights will be strengthened as a result of this unification; as a one union we will be able to be speak much more forcefully on behalf of workers in Nepal.”
The merger of the two transport unions follows the unification in March of two national centres, the Nepal Trade Union Congress and the Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions; they formed the Nepal Trade Union Congress-Independent.
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