December 19th, 2016
Formation of JTUCC is, thus we believe, a wise reciprocity of our political system, which is a reflection of multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic reality; which is based on competitive- cooperation as internalise by our political system; It didn’t permit to apply a notion- ‘the winners take all’; but directs us- work together, accept every position determined by your strengths! The JTUCC has manifested it through its slogan- ‘Unity in Diversity!’ We take every decision in consensus; where every affiliates enjoy their freedom to continue their position independently on the issues of non-unanimity. A best part till today is- social dialogue takes place with other social partners in common agenda agreed by JTUCC. We proudly call it Nepali model of trade unionism!
H.E Guy Ryder, DG of ILO,
Hon’ble Member of Legislature Parliament,
Bro Jaap Weinen, the Deputy General Secretary of ITUC
Suzuki-san, the General Secretary of ITUC AP
My Predecessors both in GEFONT and JTUCC
Guests, Colleagues, Friends, Comrades, and Media persons
Kindly accept my warm welcome in this august gathering- the convergence of trade union leaders, perhaps some may feel strange with the word Labour Parliament. This is the policy making body of umbrella organisation of Nepali trade union centres- we have named it, thus the parliament; its session commenced once year in the month of December.
This is the Second Session of our labour parliament. Rt Hon’ble President of our country had inaugurated the First Session last year. In this Session we are privileged having H.E. Director-General of International Labour Organisation Mr Guy Ryder as the Guest of Honour.
On behalf of Two millions JTUCC members along with entire Nepali working people, I take an opportunity to congratulate Excellency Mr. Guy Ryder on his recent election by ILO GB for next mandate and wish for the successful tenure.
Excellency Guy Ryder! You are now, the Director General, an efficient CEO of a unique global body-the ILO; for us you are still our brother – a comrade behind the endeavour to bridge the distance in international trade union movement; that leader whose role was crucial to create an independent international trade union body covering most of them trends bearing with a legacy of Cold War period- either, or and non-aligned. I recall here the proud moment of November 2006 when we were celebrating launching of new trade union body and sharing congratulation on your election as the founding General Secretary of that body- the ITUC!
Today, we are delighted welcoming you here as the Guest of Honour to inaugurate Second Session of our Labour Parliament; the parliament of another unique platform of trade unions in South Asia- the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC).
The JTUCC has covered unions with wide range of political diversity. Realizing importance of every individual union irrespective of their size and affiliation, it has on-boarded all and has managed differences, gradually narrowing down the gaps within them.
Our country Nepal is a country of minorities! We are mosaic of 125 ethnic minorities along with cast groups, which make communication through 123 dialogues and languages. It is a country of vast geographical and bio-diversity with (from sea level) land of lowest level to highest peak of the world. Our constitution promulgated last year has defined Nepal as a unified nation with shared aspirations and psychology of all and has internalised Nepal’s features of ethnic multiplicity, linguistic diversity, cultural pluralism and religious heterogeneity.
Formation of JTUCC is, thus we believe, a wise reciprocity of our political system, which is a reflection of multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic reality; which is based on competitive- cooperation as internalise by our political system;
It didn’t permit to apply a notion- ‘the winners take all’; but directs us- work together, accept every position determined by your strengths!
The JTUCC has manifested it through its slogan- ‘Unity in Diversity!’ We take every decision in consensus; where every affiliates enjoy their freedom to continue their position independently on the issues of non-unanimity.
A best part till today is- social dialogue takes place with other social partners in common agenda agreed by JTUCC. We proudly call it Nepali model of trade unionism!
Standing on the citadel of this unity, we are now in the process to institutionalise all of the achievements of our decades long struggle through the execution of our constitution.
The effective execution of Constitution will lay-down a solid foundation for political stability and economic prosperity;
JTUCC is waiting immediate adoption of labour related bills, which will ensure social protection to response our constitutional spirit of pro-socialist character of the state;
Nepali world of work is waiting for concrete plans of decent work; such a plan which will attract over 3 millions youth toiling under condition of right to work deficit in those destinations including the GCC countries;
Sad to note here, even in this week a sister working in Lebanon has been deported without any reason; it is a routine phenomenon. We feel extreme pains while some of the colleagues in our global trade union family, even from our own sub-region undermine our effort to protect our sisters and brothers and blame us as of spoke person of those regime who undervalued our labour.
We are expecting strong solidarity and support to realise sustainable development goals from UN agencies like ILO; the cooperation would help us to design various social insurance schemes, which are in ‘menu’ of Nepali State.
National Reconstruction process has been started to build back the destroyed infrastructures devastated by the earthquake of 2015;
To address a grave situation of labour-under-utilisation numbering 30+ out of 100, the government would apply some proactive measures such as the one we are requesting to ensure at least 200 days full-employment with on an average pay of US$ 8 (nearly NRs 800) in a day into Reconstruction Plans;
That the Government of Nepal would include 14 extremely earthquake-prone districts first in the list to implement its health insurance schemes for all citizens out of 25 selected districts of this fiscal year.
That the Government makes null-and-void all clauses of various laws including Industrial enterprise Act, which is against the provisions of ILO core conventions and sharp contradicts with the spirits of mutual agreement signed between JTUCC unions and the employer’s organisations.
We hope, this session of labour parliament would be instrumental to redesign our future, fitting itself with federal setup; where unions would be considered as the unifying element!
We sincerely extend our gratitude to H.E Guy Ryder, Hon’ble minister, Bro Jaap, Suzuki-san, Hon’ble members of legislature-parliament and all of the guests for accepting our invitation. On behalf of all affiliates of JTUCC, I feel honour to welcome you all.
Thank you!
Bishnu Rimal
December 14, 2016
(Welcome address delivered during Second Session of Labour Parliament of JTUCC, 14th December 2016, Trade Tower, Kathmandu)