Global union federations (GUFs) today issued a joint statement condemning the Government of Nepal’s proposal to ban certain trade unions, particularly those representing public service workers. The statement, signed by the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), IndustriALL Global Union, the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), ITUC-Asia Pacific and the Public Services International (PSI), calls on Nepal to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the proposal, warning that it violates both international law and Nepal’s Constitution.

The global unions cited Nepal’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 98 and Articles 34 and 35 of the 2015 Constitution, which guarantee the right to form and join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. They emphasised that public service workers, including those in health, sanitation, energy, and welfare delivery, hold the same fundamental labor rights as other workers, and any attempt to single them out is “authoritarian” and unlawful.

The statement also warned of severe repercussions for Nepal’s international standing, including scrutiny by ILO committees, potential jeopardy to trade agreements, and condemnation through UN human rights mechanisms. The unions urged the government to reaffirm its obligations under ILO conventions and engage in genuine dialogue with trade unions on labor reforms.

Read the full statement.