CNI, JTUCC sign understanding to boos industrial relations

Kathmandu, Oct. 6

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre  (JTUCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday to enhance  industrial relations.

It is probably the first of its kind in South and South East Asia, where the agreement between employers and workers has progressed, the CNI said in a statement.

The MoU is signed by President of CNI, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, and President of JTUCC, Binod Shrestha. Officials and representatives of all trade unions affiliated with the JTUCC were present on the occasion.

According to the parties of the MoU, the main objective of the understanding is to contribute to the overall economic development of the country by developing good labour relations between employers and workers, creating an investment environment,  generating more employment opportunities within the country, improving living standards, and increasing productivity.

Speaking on the occasion, Agrawal said that this is probably the first exercise in the history of the world labour market where workers and employers have officially cooperated on issues and cases. He expressed his belief that this kind of cooperation and understanding will play an important role in addressing production, skills, employment problems and challenges.

While saying that the CNI believed that it is possible to contribute to economic prosperity through amicable relations between workers and employers, Agrawal said that he is embracing the issue that these two are the companions of economic prosperity, not workers and employers.

According to him, this agreement will give  a good message to  foreign investors as well.

Likewise, Shrestha recalled that in the past, the relationship between employers and workers was like that of ‘tiger and goat’ which now has been converted into ‘water and fish’.

By embracing this relationship, a harmonious environment has been created between the employers and the workers and it has reached a stage where we can move forward by reaching an understanding with the employers.

Bhim Ghimire, Vice-president of the CNI, expressed his belief that this agreement will be the main tool to support in  country's economic development, industrial growth  and foreign investment environment.

President of Nepal Trade Union Congress Yogendra Kumar Kunwar, General Secretary Ajay Kumar Rai, General Secretary of Nepal Trade Union Federation Laxman Sharma, Female Leader Sita Lama, Vice President of All Nepal Trade Union Federation Dhan Bahadur V.K. welcomed the  agreement. They urged to prepare an action plan and follow the bilateral mechanism from a new dimension.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 7 October 2023.