April 4th, 2018
To my understanding, consolidated democracy is such democracy in which none of the major political actors consider any alternative to democratic processes to gain power, and no political institution or group has a claim to veto the actions of democratically elected decision makers.
Such democracy where all actors follow the rules of the game and do not violate it for momentary power gain. Such democracy where even those who stand in line can feel that their turn will come, and those who attempt to disrupt the agreed rules of the game will be brought to book by the State and Peoples’ organization.
Chief Guest Rt. Honorable Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
Guests from different countries
Invited Guests, Representatives and Comrades
Media Personalities
Today, we are participating in a very important National Congress of GEFONT in its history. I would like to welcome you all and extend by greetings on this occasion.
We had a dream about three decades ago – and the dream was about establishing a glorious organization to which each worker could lend their faith and feel proud of when they reminisce the organization.
We had thought of an organization that could protect the workers who would be fired from their job, for, they say no to recline before every urge of their ‘Boss’,… the oganisation that could create environment for the workers so that they feel empowered to talk to their ‘Boss’ firm and united, engage in collective bargaining and win debates and discussions on how to ensure environment for workers at workplace, make structures that are workers friendly, and policies and laws, and manage them efficiently.
We had thought of an organization that could inculcate confidence in every worker that they also belong to a country … the country that has a government elected through people’s franchise and could provide dignified job for workers, and pension for them when they get retirement.
We had thought that there should be people’s organizations… the organizations they would compete for agreed rules of operations and function in such conducive environment where they would have healthy competition among them and cooperate to each other for the dignified life of workers.
In real sense, we had a wish that there would be “one class, one organization – one country and one confederation” of workers and they all would work for the better life of working class.
Comrades,
Do we think we have our wish fulfilled? Are our activities moving towards this direction? We have to find answers to this questions in this Congress.
Do you think that the President you voted for eight years back and the current leadership you chose four years ago under the leadership of the President has done something good to realise our dream? Now is the time reflect on.
As I stand before you in this grandeur I can confidently say, yes … we have been able to lay a foundation stone to move to the direction we have dreamed of. The road to this direction was not easy and smooth, but we made it together tearing apart the challenges on our way. Together we have caressed the height we are now.
We walked step by step and we walk as per the demand of the day!
During the Sixth National Congress, we had asked a question with the state – ‘Where is our space?’ We continued demanding ‘our space’ through different forums and with loud voice.
It is because of our activism and consolidation of politics in favour of working class, we have been able to write a new constitution through our representatives. And, the Constitution has embraced the socialism oriented characteristic of the State.
We claim, it’s our win! And we have celebrated this achievement as the victory of our struggle over the years.
‘Equal justice, dignity and opportunity for all workers’ was the key demand we raised through our past Six National Congresses.
The First National Congress in 1992 raised the issue of ‘Social justice and economic parity; Unity of works for industrial prosperity.’
The Second National Congress held in 1996 made its theme – ‘Nationalism, development, peace and democracy; Industrial revolution and workers benefit our labour policy.’
Theme of the Third National Congress in 2000 was – ‘Unified trade unionism for prosperous life.’
By the time we reached the Fourth National Congress, we witnessed many ups and downs of democracy in Nepal. By realizing that the democracy may fall in crisis if we do not take concrete steps to defend it, we made ‘One union for democracy, peace and progress’ the theme of our Fourth National Congress held in 2004.
‘Unity for transformation’ was the theme of Fifth National Congress in 2009 while the Sixth National Congress in 2013 was held under the banner of ‘Transformation: By building workers power!’
In essence, wherever we stood, we reared firm! Whatever we said we spoke loud and clear! And, all our stand and voice was for our mission and vision, and that is – ‘Dignified, prosperous and creative life of working class!’
In this Seventh National Congress we are speaking aloud for ‘Prosperous working class in consolidated democracy!’
Why are we saying so? What are we saying when we say ‘consolidated democracy’? And, what do we mean by it?
To my understanding, consolidated democracy is such democracy in which none of the major political actors consider any alternative to democratic processes to gain power, and no political institution or group has a claim to veto the actions of democratically elected decision makers.
Such democracy where all actors follow the rules of the game and do not violate it for momentary power gain. Such democracy where even those who stand in line can feel that their turn will come, and those who attempt to disrupt the agreed rules of the game will be brought to book by the State and Peoples’ organization.
Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister
The reality of the day is that those who live under the heap of wealth but do not pay tax as per law of land are enjoying scot-free life. We want our ‘consolidated democracy’ be so strong that it can bring them to book and punish them as per the law of the land. Our democracy must end the culture of impunity and do not provide safe heaven to those who involve in corruption and oppression.
We want to see the end of such practice that suppresses the poor and feeds the rich. We are desperate to see the end of lawlessness where those in power bargain but the powerless beg! We want our ‘consolidated democracy’ put a hook on ‘neo liberal economic system’ that is widening gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ and has been boon for the rich and powerful but curse for the poor and powerless.
In this context, I would like to present a fact on the annual per capita consumption expenditure from two years back.
While dividing the households of Nepal by decile, bottom 10% has NRs 19 thousands annual per-capita consumption expenditure. The highest 10% has 11thtimes more, that is NRs 215,553, than the bottom 10%. Changing existing social structure through transformation means bringing the three decile population from bottom to the middle level. By doing this, half of the population’s per-capita consumption expenditure becomes NRs 43,680. Even this progress will help to increase the income of lowest group to a level around 5 times less compare to the top 10% household.
I proposed earlier why State needs to regulate it. This means the regulation of the imbalance of ‘income and consumption’. In the journey of prosperity, targeting only workers’ performance is not enough. We all know ’empty stomach cannot recite mantras.’
As I am sanding before you, the Hall has asked me, “Comrade, please ask our government, is the issue of wage increment possible to break this imbalanced situation?’ As suggested by the international trade union community, can the government increase our wages by NRs 5,000 that is, 50 plus US dollars’?
I would respond, this is possible and should be done because the issue of wage is not only related with the ‘capacity to pay and address the hunger’, this is also connected with the attitude and creativity.
The cliché, ‘work and rest’ has a deep meaning. ‘To each, according to ability’ has a great meaning. When we talk about rights, the issue of responsibility cannot be ignored.
We believe that we can put a brake on the flow of over thousand youths to Gulf States every day. We can encourage our over four million youths to return home from abroad. All we need for this is environment where the qualified youths do not go jobless. NRs 15,000 minimum wage per month is not a big burden. But the positive impact we can generate out of it for the nation will be huge. It is through this way we can achieve wage-led growth. This is the way by which we can reach the sustainable development goals, and realise our dream of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.
Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister
I would like to put a fact before us all. Nepal Human Development Report 2015 has set three wellbeing indicators that cut across labour productivity, personal qualification and household happiness, and identified eight different geographical zones for comparative analysis. Among all the geographical zones, Kathmandu valley remains at the top of all indicators where Western-Midwestern-Far-western and hilly region remains at the bottom. If we do not aim to bring the standard of working class of all zones to the level of Kathmandu Valley, we cannot realise the sustainable development goal.
The Constitution of Nepal, has guaranteed food, housing, education, health and employment as fundamental rights of all Nepali citizens. It is mentioned at 31 Articles of the statute. It has provided us with room to be hopeful.
I would like to remind that the labour market reform programme we started 17 years back have come to a logical conclusion now. Formalising the Informal sectors now is not possible in Nepal as per the law of the land. We have annulled such provision. We instead have put a system in place that every worker irrespective of terms and condition can enjoy the facility equal to a regular worker from the day on employment.
Comrades,
We are celebrating the centenary year of ILO next year. The same year GEFONT is marking 30thyear of its establishment. ILO has highlighted the ‘centenary conversations’ in its commission report ‘The future of Work’. ‘Work and Society, Decent Jobs for All, The Organization of Work and Production, The Governance of Work are four sectors identified for the ‘conversations’. ILO has certain concerns in regard to these sectors to bring them to implement. We do also have certain concerns regarding the consolidation of our democracy.
ILO says – does the contract of employment remain fit for purpose and, if not, how should regulatory model be modified?
What should we do to implement labour legislation equal for all?
How can progress be made toward normative consistency across regimes of governance: international, regional and national, and private and public sectors?
How can private and public governance best be combined so as to reinforce each other?
What new institution\s and modes of governance might be needed?
Given the fundamental role of employer and worker organisations in the governance of work, for democracy and in the persuit of social justice: what will be the forms of employer and worker organisation of collective solidarity that will insist on accountable governance of work?
We have reached to a juncture of history now. Our government has owned such an impressive popular support which was never before in history. People have high expectation and positive hope for change now. Unity among left democratic parties is remarkable. It will definitely effect our work – life and organisation of world of work.
The next National Congress of GEFONT may not be like this as we are having now. There will be a merger of major trade union centres in JTUCCC family. GEFONT will be one of them! I may not be in the same role as I am today in next Congress. This is my last Congress to attend in the capacity of GEFONT President. The generation coming to lead the Federation will continue the legacy and spirit of GEFONT with additional strength and vigor. So I am hopeful that GEFONT will be more powerful in terms of size, capacity and impact even after my leadership.
The struggle for democracy is over now. We are heading towards launching a new struggle within the democracy– We have to find a path to accomplish the new struggle for the betterment of our working class!
Once against, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Chief Guest and guests, and thank you all who remain on our side and extended solidarity in our struggle.
Thank you!
General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT); 7th National Congress (28-31 March 2018); Inaugural Speech delivered at 28 March