Bishnu Rimal with the Workers, for the Workers 1

Bishnu Rimal With the Workers, For the Workers 1 Bishnu Rimal 2 With the Workers, For the Workers With the Workers For the Workers Author Bishnu Rimal Published by General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) Man Mohan Labour Building, GEFONT Plaza Putalisadak, Kathmandu, Nepal PO Box: 10652 Tel: + 977 1 4168000 Fax: + 977 1 4168001 E-mail: [email protected] URL: www.gefont.org Cover, Layout, Design Mahendra Shrestha Kiran Mali Printing Management M’s Mouse Putalisadak, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Published: 500 Copies Price: NRs 500 © GEFONT 2017 GEFONT Publication No. 140 ISBN: 978-9937-9177-1-1 With the Workers, For the Workers 3 PREFACE Nepali workers have been instigating a protracted struggle for more than seven decades now to establish political regime and labour market institutions so that the rights of the working class people including the right to organise, a decent work, adequate social security, and dignity are guaranteed. They have been instrumental force for the successful political revolutions including of those in early 1950s, 1990 and 2006. All these have kept on adding to building blocks to safeguard people’s sovereignty, transform Nepal into people’s democratic republic, create an empowered citizenry and take the country to the path of prosperity with social justice where the workers also enjoy their rights. However, the conditions of workers have not changed much. They are still struggling for their right to form trade unions and make collective bargaining for fair and non-discriminatory wages, safety at work place and adequate social security coverage. Nearly a quarter of the workers are unable to meet their basic needs with their wages and income; and they are in absolute poverty as ‘working poor’. A large number of in-country and migrant workers are deprived of remunerative pay, job security, safety at work, and social security. As such, every third Nepali youth is exposed to exploitative, insecure and risky job in foreign labour markets. While their savings abroad provides the country a lifeline for survival of the domestic economy, they are not secured by any social protection scheme; nor have their savings been productively utilised. Moreover, predominantly an informal labour market, growing informalisation of formal labour market work, and the lack of 4 With the Workers, For the Workers enforcement of existing laws and regulations make the existing work and employment relations unfair, exploitative and insecure at both the formal and informal labour markets. These common issues, which the trade unions have been fighting against for the last seven decades still remain the key labour issues in this 21st century labour market. Despite several political regime changes, the distresses of the workers are alive; and GEFONT has been fighting for their cause for the last 28 years. This book authored by Bishnu Rimal is the manifestation of GEFONT’s footprints in Nepali labour market. Mr Rimal, the President of GEFONT and a legendary trade union leader of national and international repute, has put together, in this book, the major deliberations he made during his presidency. The speeches and addresses assembled in this book are a clear expression of very dynamic role that GEFONT and its leadership has played in pleading, raising voices, and making policy advocacy in both the national and international arena to put working class and employer friendly labour policies in place. This book, entitled “With the Workers, For the Workers”, portrays a living history of trade unions’ contribution to bringing in a political regime that better serves the working class and works for the progressive and equality-based transformation of the economy and the society. Divided into six chapters covering Congress, Conferences and Special Ceremonies; May Day and Solidarity; Women and Youth; Politics and Policy Issues, International Conferences and Seminars, and Miscellaneous, this book compiles important testimonials related to the history of the trade union movement in Nepal, major contributions made by GEFONT for workers’ wellbeing, and lead role it played in global and national policy advocacy. The publication of this book is a reflection of Mr Rimal’s untiring engagement in the struggle for the welfare of working class. This book will definitely help GEFONT to keep its history alive and inspire the world of work with how working class can be a part of building a just, progressive, and prosperous nation. I am confident that all the readers With the Workers, For the Workers 5 in general, and the public policy makers, trade union leaders and other trade union activists in particular, will benefit from this publication to build on the successes made and to carry forward the unfinished agenda of the working class. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, PhD Former Vice Chairperson, National Planning Commission Former Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank April 2017 6 With the Workers, For the Workers FOREWORD Nepal, like other countries in South Asia, is in a state of rapid dynamism. The social, political and economic transformations taking place in the region have endowed Nepal with references to silhouette its state and society. In September 2015, the Constituent Assembly of Nepal passed a new constitution through democratic and inclusive processes by guaranteeing equal rights and representation of all Nepalis in state organs. Comrade Bishnu Rimal, as a member of the Constituent Assembly, was one of the active contributors to this process of setting gaols and standards of governance system in Nepal. His long association with the working class movement both at home and abroad has shaped him with the capacity to offer a vision for social change that embraces freedom and equality, and solidarity among all actors and stakeholders. Over two decades back, sometime during 1994, Comrade Rimal and I came to face-to-face in Kathmandu to discuss and design a growth-path for the trade union movement in Nepal. I found him with the strong belief in trade union as the force to fight an end to all kinds of exploitations against weaker sections of society - mainly the working class people - and to establish a just and equitable society for all. Following our first introductory meeting, we have had numerous sessions, shared our perspectives and discussed possible paths for achieving a unified strong trade union movement as an instrument to empower the workers in Nepal. We always aspired for and dedicated to consolidate a trade union movement that is inclusive, representative and proactive to democratic developments in and outside Nepal. With the Workers, For the Workers 7 During over two decades of my association with Nepalese trade union movement and, especially with the GEFONT, I have experienced that an open and accommodating approach paves way for closer cooperation among the national trade union centres in Nepal. Comrade Bishnu’s activism in political arena and his open mindedness has helped understand the prevailing conditions in the world of work. His insights have always been instrumental in the growth of GEFONT, not only as an institution but also as the defender of workers’ philosophy and interests. Views expressed by Bishnu in various forums, including at ILO, ITUC, etc. in the presence of trade union leaders from countries have led to wider appreciation of GEFONT ideology and successes. Comrade Bishnu Rimal, apart of being fighter for the same cause, is a dear friend of mine, and the entire working class. Our long association with each other has matured into strong bond of brotherhood through mutual understanding and comradeship. I can strongly vouch that his contribution in the capacity of General Secretary and later as President of GEFONT; and subsequently as the member of Constituent Assembly and Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister of Nepal has made pivotal success in the growth and sustainability of the GEFONT as representative body of the working class in Nepal. The present volume With the Workers, For the Workers will serve as an important source of information and a guide to trade union functionaries active in various parts of the world. The compilation of his speeches brings out areas of concerns for the working class and indications of instrumentalities for achieving social justice. Like all of us, Comrade Bishnu Rimal has a dream and that is achievable only through full commitment and engagement towards desired goals. Dr Pravin Sinha President, National Labour Law Association Secretary General, Indian Industrial Relations Association Labour Adviser, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung 8 With the Workers, For the Workers INSCRIPTION OF MOVEMENT At first glance, this book may seem just a compilation of speeches and statements. But once a reader delves into it, s/he feels that it is an inscription of the Nepali trade union movement. And, in fact, it is what the book is about. In reality, this book is an anthology of speeches and statements. But they are not the speeches what we understand about speech by tradition. They are not loaded with the words that make us tedious. They are not burdened with the expression as in the traditional speeches. They are not haunted by discounted talks. Because, these speeches are not made for the sake of making them; these are the speeches made to tell the audience something special on some specific themes. The speeches in this anthology are made in different assemblies and seminars. Though they are speeches, they are like the articles and write- ups written with careful effort. Each speech and statement is different by its subject-matter and presentation. No speech and statement is filled with balderdash. They are straight to the point, focused on particular theme and are logical and perceptible. Comrade Bishnu Rimal has set a benchmark in the realm of making speech by breaking the tradition of keeping them long and for formality.

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