Government Closely Monitors: Potential Action Against Employees Conducting Activities Under Trade Union Names
The government has already annulled trade unions of civil servants through an ordinance, yet employee organizations continue to carry out organized activities. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has taken notice of these activities and is preparing to take necessary action. Six employee organizations have warned of protests demanding the reinstatement of trade unions and have stated that if the government does not reverse its decision, they will launch phased protests. On 22 Baishakh in Kathmandu, despite the government’s ordinance nullifying civil servants’ trade unions, these organizations remain active.
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, paying close attention to these events, has issued notices. Following the President Ram Chandra Paudel’s promulgation of an ordinance amending several acts on government recommendation, the trade union system for employees was officially abolished from last Sunday. Although the amended Civil Servants Act leaves no room for any employee organizations, several party-affiliated employee groups issued a joint statement on Monday.
After government employees issued statements in the capacity of organizations, the ministry expressed concern. A ministry official stated, “According to the Civil Servants Act 2049 (1992), trade unions for employees are not allowed as per the ordinance. Employees should focus on providing services to citizens, not engage in partisan politics. If such activities continue, the ministry will take necessary measures.” Since the ordinance has dissolved all forms of employee organizations, issuing statements in the name of employees will prompt the ministry to demand clarifications and take awareness-raising steps, according to sources within the ministry.
The chairpersons of various employee organizations—including Bhawani Nyaupane Dahal of Nepal Civil Servants Organization, Uttam Kumar Kutwal of Nepal Civil Servants Union, Ambadatta Bhatt of Nepal National Civil Servants Organization, Yam Bahadur Khatri of Unified Government Employees Organization, Vijay Kumar Yadav, acting chairperson of Nepal Madhesi Civil Servants Forum, and Sita Gurung of Independent National Service Employee Organization—jointly issued a statement demanding the restoration of the trade union system. On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Balen Shah released a statement clarifying that the abolition of trade unions is not a fight against political parties.
He explained that the government’s decision aims to preserve the system amid protests from student organizations and trade unions. On Facebook, the Prime Minister wrote, “This is not a fight against any party. This is an effort to save the system. It is an attempt to protect the future and remove the country from partisan dominance, ushering it into an institutional path. It is an effort to free educational institutions and the civil service from partisan infection.” On Monday, six employee organizations convened and warned that if trade union provisions are not reinstated, they will be compelled to launch protests. Following these threats of protests against the government, the ministry is treating the matter seriously. A ministry source noted, “We are monitoring activities conducted under the name of employee organizations. The ministry has already held preliminary discussions on these activities.” Given the ordinance abolishing employee trade unions, the ministry confirmed that it will take necessary steps against those organizing such activities under any employee name.
The six employee groups warned that if the government does not revoke the trade union abolition decision, they will be forced to proceed with phased protests. They issued statements opposing the government’s decision and demanding the restoration of trade union rights. The statement also emphasized that if the government ignores employee demands, they will have no choice but to pursue legal battles and phased protests with the support of all concerned parties.
