Attack on Trade Union rights in Nepal

On 29 January 2019, the management of Global Hydropower Associate with the help of local goons beat up the workers who were organising plant level trade union at the workplace. The management also called the police to terrorise and create fear among the workers. The Global Hydropower Associate project is situated at Likhupike Rural Municipality – Ward no 5, Solukhumbu District of Nepal.

Organizing a Trade Union at the workplace is a right of workers in Nepal according to the Trade Union Act of Nepal. The BWI affiliates in Nepal Construction and Allied Workers Union of Nepal (CAWUN) issued a press release condemning the ruthless act of the management.

The Union has demanded the immediate release of the workers from Police custody, to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured workers and also the resumption of work with immediate effect. The union also condemned the police interference at the workplace as it instead of a resolution fueled tensions between workers and management.

Mr. Pradip Acharya, General Secretary of CAWUN, in their press-release stated that "The union promotes peace in the workplace and pursues social dialogue but the attitude of the management at this company is unacceptable".