May 4th, 2015
This is not the time to be destructive, depressed or irritated; nor is this time to be involved in blame game. We must realise this is the time to demonstrate mutual compassion and patience; and mobilise to help each other. Standing on the rubble now we are entering the phase of new construction overcoming the grief. Afore us are three tasks at present – 1) speed up the on going rescue operation to save as many lives as possible and garbage management to avoid epidemics and outbreaks of various kinds of illness; 2) the water loses its value after quenching thirst, the relief materials like food, medicine, water and tent, which is dire need of now of the victims, should be made available and state should take special care to make the distribution process rise above the petty political interests and 3) guarantee of shelter for citizens left without any shelter.
Dear Comrades, colleagues and friends,
May Day, the glorious day of us – the working class, this year is surrounded by inconsolable grief. The devastating earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25 has left Nepalis in immeasurable anguish and heartbreak. A usual Saturday turned out to be an unusual and furious attack for destruction. The symbols of sweat, labour, art and skill all were demolished. Everything was destroyed and with them lives and shelters was devastated. That fearful earthquake shook us again and again. The people- symbols of dreams, hopes, dynamism and energy, turned lifeless in matter of seconds. Aftermath there are thousands of injured survivors helplessly facing the pain of losing their loved ones amidst the grave disaster. The whole nation is now in the whirlpool of death, grief, pain and uncertainties.
According to UNDP in Nepal the earthquake has affected 39 districts and 8 million people. Among which 11 districts and 2 million people are the most affected. The epicentre of the devastating earthquake, Barpak village of Gorkha district has now hardly 50 houses standing of total one thousand and four hundred and seventy houses. The captain of Shimrik Air involved in rescue operation informs the whole touristic village – Langtang of Rasuwa district is wiped-out. According to the latest data Sindhupalchok district has highest death toll followed by Kathmandu valley and Nuwakot. As per data provided by Government, up to the morning of May 1 the death toll has reached Six thousand 198 and 13 thousand 568 people are injured. The number is definitely increasing as the new information keeps coming.
The fury of nature has not only destroyed weak and old huts of poor but modern buildings of privileged class are also destroyed. The nature did not differentiate class. From Dharara, known as Eiffel Tower of Nepal to all the heritage and historical monuments since Second Century (Lichhavi and Malla Periods) are destroyed. As told by Nepali media 10 hydropower projects are disturbed. Shocked by the hit and fearing more disaster from President of Nepal to the general public, all are forced to sleep outside their houses under the sky for a week. But in this disaster, the maximum numbers of victim were from working class; the darkness has deepened in their lives. Thousands of children are now forced to face uncertain future, insecurity and fear.
GEFONT/JTUCC family too, is facing fearsome aftermath of the devastating hit. Many construction sector workers affiliated to CUPPEC (GEFONT) along with others have lost their lives while working in several hydropower projects. Many UNITRAV (GEFONT) comrades lost their lives buried in avalanche of Mt. Everest while climbing. Some transport sector workers lost their lives on road. GEFONT Finance Secretary Gunaram Acharya has suffered severe head injury and had undergone surgery; he is at the ICU in hospital at the moment. GEFONT Migrant Committee member Bajra Rai is heavily injured. We have got news of sad demise of PAN (CONEP) General Secretary Chandra Bahadur Shrestha and his wife. The Confederations affiliated with JTUCC are still getting information about the whereabouts and safety of their members. Among the dead are teachers of several schools at villages; we can definitely say the death toll is rising. In general, our member working in every sectors of employment have lost lives, they have lost their relatives or shelter. Just one week before the May Day, Nepali Working Class is burdened with unbearable load of tears, injuries, fear and uncertainty.
Rescue operation is on going to retrieve lives buried under the rubble. With help of international recue experts, Nepali security agencies have rescued more than thousand lives. Ms Krishna Kumari Khadka rescued in Balaju, Kathmandu after 128 hours of the hit is the latest example. We appreciate the patience and bravery of our rescue teams. We thank and pay deep gratitude to the Governments of different countries, International Trade Union family, domestic and international organisations and individuals who offered help and expressed solidarity with Nepal at this time.
This is not the time to be destructive, depressed or irritated; nor is this time to be involved in blame game. We must realise this is the time to demonstrate mutual compassion and patience; and mobilise to help each other. Standing on the rubble now we are entering the phase of new construction overcoming the grief. Afore us are three tasks at present – 1) speed up the on going rescue operation to save as many lives as possible and garbage management to avoid epidemics and outbreaks of various kinds of illness; 2) the water loses its value after quenching thirst, the relief materials like food, medicine, water and tent, which is dire need of now of the victims, should be made available and state should take special care to make the distribution process rise above the petty political interests and 3) guarantee of shelter for citizens left without any shelter.
At a time where villages after villages have been wiped-out, the best option will be to have an integrated approach of all the projects of reconstruction. As more than 3 million Nepali labour force is in foreign lands, it is certain that we will face labour deficit in Nepal. Therefore, we suggest that the State should revisit migration policy and take policy to consume the Nepali workforce in Nepal.
GEFONT has decided to mobilize all of its members. Based on the expertise of its affiliates, GEFONT will mobilise them nation wide. To pacify the negative opinions about the transport sector and to promote the feeling of “Companion of citizens the transport workers” the transport sector union council will be mobilized. Construction sector workers will be useful to clear the rubbles and reliable for reconstruction. Health sector union councils is mobilising in hospitals and villages. As your President, I call upon all the member confederations of the JTUCC to mobilise all their members in the sectors of their expertise based on practicability.
The value of a life of a citizen can be understood when people gave the title “Hero” to the APF rescue team who save life of a teenager Pemba Lama after 120 hours. We direct all our member – Please be in touch with the security agencies & expert or citizens involved in rescue operation as per your capacity and contribute as much as possible. May Day has come carrying grief, trauma, tears and uncertainties. We do not have alternative to convert our tears into energy and move forward with new vigour and hope. Therefore this May Day is not for celebration and agitation for rights but for tribute, condolence and re-construction campaign.
Today, with heavy heart, I pay tribute to all who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake. My deepest condolences to all the victim families; and I wish speedy health recovery to all injured.
This year May Day came with destruction and pain; May this never happen in coming May Days– I, on behalf of Nepali trade union movement and its 2 million members express best wishes to you all!
Thank you!
(With Tribute, Condolence and Solidarity, GEFONT/JTUCC president Bishnu Rimal May Day message delivered during candle lightening in Kathmandu Mandala memorial service to the victims of Earthquake, May 1st, 2015)