Industrial Relation

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONSBY SAMRAKT DHAKAL [email protected]

UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION

CONCEPT

The term ‘Industrial Relations’ comprises of two terms: ‘Industry’ and ‘Relations’. “Industry” refers to “any productive activity in which an individual (or a group of individuals) is (are) engaged”. By “relations” we mean “the relationships that exist within the industry between the employer and his workmen.”

The term industrial relations explain the relationship between employees and management which stem directly or indirectly from union-employer relationship.

Industrial relations are the relationships between employees and employers within the organizational settings. The field of industrial relations looks at the relationship between management and workers, particularly groups of workers represented by a union. Industrial relations are basically the interactions between employers, employees and the government, and the institutions and associations through which such interactions are mediated.

The term industrial relations have a broad as well as a narrow outlook. Originally, industrial relations were broadly defined to include the relationships and interactions between employers and employees. From this perspective, industrial relations cover all aspects of the employment relationship, including human resource management, employee relations, and union-management (or labor) relations. Now its meaning has become more specific and restricted. Accordingly, industrial relations pertains to the study and practice of collective bargaining, trade unionism, and labor-management relations, while human resource management is a separate, largely distinct field that deals with nonunion employment relationships and the personnel practices and policies of employers.

The relationships which arise at and out of the workplace generally include the relationships between individual workers, the relationships between workers and their employer, the relationships between employers, the relationships employers and workers have with the organizations formed to promote their respective interests, and the relations between those organizations, at all levels. Industrial relations also includes the processes through which these relationships are expressed (such as, collective bargaining, workers’ participation in decision-making, and grievance and dispute settlement), and the management of conflict between employers, workers and trade unions, when it arises.

An industrial relations system consists of the whole gamut of relationships between employees and employees and employers which are managed by the means of conflict and cooperation.

A sound industrial relations system is one in which relationships between management and employees (and their representatives) on the one hand, and between them and the State on the other, are more

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harmonious and cooperative than conflictual and creates an environment conducive to economic efficiency and the motivation, productivity and development of the employee and generates employee loyalty and mutual trust.

PURPOSE OF IR

The main objectives of industrial relations system are:-

To safeguard the interest of labor and management by securing the highest level of mutual understanding and good-will among all those sections in the industry which participate in the process of production.

To avoid industrial conflict or strife and develop harmonious relations, which are an essential factor in the productivity of workers and the industrial progress of a country.

To raise productivity to a higher level in an era of full employment by lessening the tendency to high turnover and frequency absenteeism.

To establish and promote the growth of an industrial democracy based on labor partnership in the sharing of profits and of managerial decisions, so that ban individuals personality may grow its full stature for the benefit of the industry and of the country as well.

To eliminate or minimize the number of strikes, lockouts and gheraos by providing reasonable wages, improved living and working conditions, said fringe benefits.

To improve the economic conditions of workers in the existing state of industrial managements and political government.

Socialization of industries by making the state itself a major employer Vesting of a proprietary interest of the workers in the industries in which they are

employed.

The healthy industrial relations are key to the progress and success. Their significance may be discussed as under –

Uninterrupted production – The most important benefit of industrial relations is that this ensures continuity of production. This means, continuous employment for all from manager to workers. The resources are fully utilized, resulting in the maximum possible production. There is uninterrupted flow of income for all. Smooth running of an industry is of vital importance for several other industries; to other industries if the products are intermediaries or inputs; to exporters if these are export goods; to consumers and workers, if these are goods of mass consumption.


Reduction in Industrial Disputes – Good industrial relations reduce the industrial disputes. Disputes are reflections of the failure of basic human urges or motivations to secure adequate satisfaction or expression which are fully cured by good industrial relations. Strikes, lockouts, go-slow tactics, gherao and grievances are some of the reflections of industrial unrest which do not spring up in an atmosphere of industrial peace. It helps promoting co-operation and increasing production.

High morale – Good industrial relations improve the morale of the employees. Employees work with great zeal with the feeling in mind that the interest of employer and employees is one and the same, i.e. to increase production. Every worker feels that he is a co-owner of the gains of industry. The employer in his turn must realize that the gains of industry are not for him along but they should be shared equally and generously with his workers. In other words, complete unity of thought and action is the main achievement of industrial peace. It increases the place of workers in the society and their ego is satisfied. It naturally affects production because mighty co-operative efforts alone can produce great results.

Mental Revolution – The main object of industrial relation is a complete mental revolution of workers and employees. The industrial peace lies ultimately in a transformed outlook on the part of both. It is the business of leadership in the ranks of workers, employees and Government to work out a new relationship in consonance with a spirit of true democracy. Both should think themselves as partners of the industry and the role of workers in such a partnership should be recognized. On the other hand, workers must recognize employer’s authority. It will naturally have impact on production because they recognize the interest of each other.

Reduced Wastage – Good industrial relations are maintained on the basis of cooperation and recognition of each other. It will help increase production. Wastages of man, material and machines are reduced to the minimum and thus national interest is protected.

Thus, it is evident that good industrial relations are the basis of higher production with minimum cost and higher profits. It also results in increased efficiency of workers. New and new projects may be introduced for the welfare of the workers and to promote the morale of the people at work. An economy organized for planned production and distribution, aiming at the realization of social justice and welfare of the massage can function effectively only in an atmosphere of industrial peace. If the twin objectives of rapid national development and increased social justice are to be achieved, there must be harmonious relationship between management and labor.

ACTORS IN IR

Employers:



Employers possess certain rights vis-à-vis labors. They have the right to hire and fire them. Management can also affect workers’ interests by exercising their right to relocate, close or merge the factory or to introduce technological changes.

Employees: Workers seek to improve the terms and conditions of their employment. They exchange views with management and voice their grievances. They also want to share decision making powers of management. Workers generally unite to form unions against the management and get support from these unions.

Government: The central and state government influences and regulates industrial relations through laws, rules, agreements, awards of court ad the like. It also includes third parties and labor and tribunal courts.

PLURALIST PERSPECTIVE of IR

In pluralism the organization is perceived as being made up of powerful and divergent sub-groups - management and trade unions. This approach sees conflicts of interest and disagreements between managers and workers over the distribution of profits as normal and inescapable. Consequently, the role of management would lean less towards enforcing and controlling and more toward persuasion and co-ordination. Trade unions are deemed as legitimate representatives of employees. Conflict is dealt by collective bargaining and is viewed not


necessarily as a bad thing and if managed could in fact be channeled towards evolution and positive change. Realistic managers should accept conflict to occur. There is a greater propensity for conflict rather than harmony.

They should anticipate and resolve this by securing agreed procedures for settling disputes.

The implications of this approach include:

The firm should have industrial relations and personnel specialists who advise managers and provide specialist services in respect of staffing and matters relating to union consultation and negotiation.

Independent external arbitrators should be used to assist in the resolution of disputes.

Union recognition should be encouraged and union representatives given scope to carry out their representative duties.

Comprehensive collective agreements should be negotiated with unions.

MARXIST PERSPECTIVE

This view of industrial relations is a by product of a theory of capitalist society and social change. Marx argued that:

Weakness and contradiction inherent in the capitalist system would result in revolution and the ascendancy of socialism over capitalism.

Capitalism would foster monopolies.

Wages (costs to the capitalist) would be minimized to a subsistence level.

Capitalists and workers would compete/be in contention to win ground and establish their constant win-lose struggles would be evident.

This perspective focuses on the fundamental division of interest between capital and labor, and sees workplace relations against this background. It is concerned with the structure and nature of society and assumes that the conflict in employment relationship is reflective of the structure of the society. Conflict is therefore seen as inevitable and trade unions are a natural response of workers to their exploitation by capital.

IR PROCESS



1) Employee writes in to the Director General Industrial Relations Department to make a representation within 60 days of dismissal.

2) The Director General Industrial Relations will try to resolve the case through conciliation by inviting both the employer and employee for a meeting.

3) The conciliation officer will explain the principles and practices law that are applicable including judgment of the courts, both the Industrial Court and civil courts, so that both parties are aware of their rights and liabilities.

4) If there is a failure to resolve the case through conciliation, the Director General Industrial Relations will then refer the case to the Minister of Human Resources, who will refer the matter to the Industrial Court for adjudication and for an award if he thinks fit.Unlawful dismissal case cannot be brought directly to the Industrial Court. This type of case must be referred to the Industrial Court by the Minister of Human Resources.

5) The Industrial Court upon the matter being referred to by the Minister of Human Resources, then goes to consider whether the termination of employment is unlawful or whether it is justified.

6) Where the Industrial Court rules that the termination is unlawful, the Court then makes an “Award” to reinstate you to your former position or in lieu awards proper compensation.The normal remedies in a case of dismissal are the reinstatement into your former employment and award of back waged from dismissal date to the final date of hearing.

UNIT 2 LABOUR POLICIES AND LEGISLATION

FEATURES OF LABOUR POLICY

Labour Force

Nepal has an easily trainable and keen work force. Unskilled labour is cheap and abundant. Semiskilled and skilled labour are available in sufficient numbers. The government has established technical institutions to develop skills at the technical level in civil and electrical engineering, electronics, air conditioning/refrigeration, general mechanics and auto mechanics. Training programmes are also geared to industrial and vocational training in wood working, metal working, leather working, general fitters, tailoring and so on. The programmes on entrepreneurial and management development and the colleges of higher learning provide educated persons to be groomed for managerial positions on both public and private sector industries.

Industrial Relations

Nepal has a history of maintaining good industrial relations during the past few decades when industrial activity gradually expanded in the country. Labour unrest, lockouts and strikes do not occur as


frequently as they do in other developing countries. The Labour Act lays down guidelines and procedures for the settlement of disputes between employers and employees. These guidelines and procedures provide a favourable environment for the harmonious development of industrial relations.

Legal Framework

The Labour Act, 1992 lays down the legal framework and the basis for the rules, regulations and guidance on the proper management of any establishment employing 10 persons or more. It deals with matters relating to employment and security of employment, working hours and minimum wages, welfare of employees, employer employee relations and the settlement of labour disputes. Labour Regulation, 1993 complements the Labour Act with further clarification in issues such as security of profession and service, remuneration and welfare provision, health, cleanliness and safety, etc. The Bonus Act of 1974, as amended subsequently, provides a legal basis for the payment of bonus to the workers and employees of factories and commercial establishments.

Wages and Salaries

The minimum wage rates set by the government are comparatively lower than the going wage rates for workers in SAARC and other countries of the region. Salaries of middle management executives, technical grade officers, engineers and other professionals are generally lower than in other developing countries. Permanent employees of a factory should contribute 10 percent of the monthly salary to a provident fund and the management should make a matching contribution. Gratuities are payable to workers who have worked for over 3 years.

Working Hours, Holidays

Normal working hours are fixed at 48 hours per week, 8 hours a day. Continuous working hours should not exceed 5 hours. There should be a break of half an hour. Overtime work is remunerated at one and a half times the normal wage.

In addition to 13 public holidays, permanent workers are entitled to one day's home leave for every 20 days, 15 days medical leave with half pay and one month special leave without pay every year. Female employees are entitled to 52 days maternity leave with full pay. Such maternity leave shall be granted only twice during the entire period of service. The compulsory retiring age for workers is 55. However, in the case of a skilled worker whose service is indispensable, the retirement age could be extended upto 60 years.

LABOUR ACT


LABOUR ACT IS CONCERNED WITH

Employment and job security

Working hours

Remuneration

Health and safety

Welfare arrangements

Special provisions applicable to special establishments

Conduct and penalties

Board, officers and other provisions

Settlement of labour disputes

TRADE UNION ACT

Trade Union (First Amendment) Act, 2055

Preamble:

Whereas it is expedient to make legal provision regarding registration, operation of Trade Union and other necessary provisions relating to it for the protection and promotion of professional and occupational rights of the workers, and self employed workers, working inside or outside the enterprise, engaged in various industry, trade, profession or service*.

3. Registration of Enterprise Level Trade Union:

The workers of concerned Enterprise may constitute and Enterprise Level Trade Union to protect and promote their occupational rights.

In order to register an Enterprise Level Trade Union constituted pursuant to Sub-section(1) an application in the prescribed form signed by at least 10 members of the Trade Union recommended by the working committee along with the constitution of the Trade Union, prescribed fee and other prescribed particulars should be submitted to the Registrar.

The Registrar after receiving an application pursuant to Sub-section (2) if finds complied with the Act shall register the Trade Union within 15 days from the date of receipt of application or from the date of receipt of additional particulars as demanded pursuant to Section 6 and provide certificate to the applicant in the prescribed form.

Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-section (3) the Enterprise Level Trade Union shall not be registered if at least twenty five percent workers of the concerned Enterprise are not members.

No workers shall be eligible to be member of more than one Enterprise Level Trade Union at the same time.

4. Registration of Trade Union Association:

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At least 50 Enterprise Level’s Trade Unions or 5000 agriculture labourers constituting one hundred labourers per district drawn from a minimum of twenty districts or 5000 workers from similar nature Enterprise*, may constitute a Trade Union Association by mutual agreement.

Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-section (1) at least 500 workers, and self-employed workers working in similar nature industries occupation from outside may constitute Trade Union Association by mutual agreement#.

1. A maximum of four associations constituted under this sub-clause shall be made eligible while establishing Trade Union Federation under Article 5 of this Act#.

2. In order to register a Trade Union Association constituted pursuant to Sub-section (1) an application in the prescribed form by the official recommended by the working committee along with a copy of mutual agreement, the constitution of the trade union, prescribed fee and other prescribed particulars should be submitted to the Registrar.

3. The Registrar after receiving an application pursuant to Sub-section (2) if finds complied with the Act shall register the Trade Union Association within 15 days from the date of receipt of the application or from the date of receipt of additional particular as demanded pursuant to section 6 and provide certificate to the applicant in the prescribed form

4. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Sub-section (1) no Trade Union of the Enterprise shall be eligible to be member of more than one Trade Union Association at the same time.

5. After the registration of a Trade Union Association pursuant to Sub-section 4 its registration shall remain valid for one year even if the number of members of such Trade Union Association declines upto 10 percent.

5. Registration of the Trade Union Federation:

At least ten Trade Union Associations may constitute a Trade Union Federation by mutual agreement.

In order to register a Trade Union Federation pursuant to Sub-section (1) an application in the prescribed form by the official recommendation by the working committee along with a copy of mutual agreement, constitution of the Trade Union Federation, prescribed fee and other particulars should be submitted to the Registrar.

The Registrar after receiving an application pursuant to Sub-section (2) if finds complied with the Act shall register the Trade Union Federation within 15 days from the date of receipt of the application or from the date of receipt of additional particulars as demanded pursuant to Section 6 and provide certificate to the applicant in the prescribed form.

Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-section (1) no Trade Union Federation shall be eligible to be member of more than one Trade Union Federation at the same time.

After the registration of a Trade Union Federation pursuant to Sub-section (3) its registration shall remain valid for one year even if the number of member of such Trade Union Federation declines upto 10 percent.

6. Additional Particular may be demanded:

Regarding the registration of a Trade Union Federation if the Registrar considers additional particular necessary, he may demand the required particulars within 7 days from the date of receipt of the application for the registration of Trade Union Federation.

Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3, 4 and 5 no Trade Union shall be registered unless the particulars demanded pursuant to Sub-section (1) has been received.

7. Refusal of Registration: The Registrar may refuse to register a Trade Union in the following circumstance:

if necessary particulars are not attached with the application. if at least 25 percent worker of the concerned Enterprise are not the member of the Enterprise Level

Trade Union.


if the name of the Trade Union coincides with the name of Trade Union which has already been registered.

if the particulars mentioned in the Section 10 of the constitution of Trade Union has not been included.

7 (A)* Renewal of Trade Union:

1) Enterprise level Trade Union shall be renewed after every two years and Trade Union Association and Federation shall be renewed after every four years.

2) other procedures of Trade Union renewal shall be made as prescribed.

CHAPTER – 3

Operation, Management and Recognition of the Trade Union

8. Autonomous and Corporate Body:

The Trade Union shall be an autonomous and corporate body having perpetual succession. The Trade Union shall have a seal of its own to carry out its activities. The Trade Union may acquire, posses, dispose or manage by other means of its movable property as

person. The Trade Union may sue or be sued under it s name as person.

9. Objectives:

The Objectives of the Trade Union shall be as follows:

To engage in economic and social development by improving the condition of workers. To make an effort to establish good relationship between worker and management. To assist in the development of Enterprise by increasing the productivity of Enterprise. Try to make the workers dutiful and discipline.

In addition to the objective mentioned in Sub-section (1), the Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation Shall have the following objective:-

To conduct activities providing education to the worker. To establish relation with international institutions for the benefit of the workers. To provide necessary advice to His Majesty’s Government in formulating the Labour Policy. In order to enhance social and economic standard of the workers publish facts beneficial to

the workers by conducting necessary workshops, seminars etc. In order to protect and promote the rights of the workers negotiate with His Majesty’s

Government and take other necessary steps within the existing law.

9(A)* Rights, duties and functions of Trade Union:

In addition to the functions, duties and rights mentioned in the constitution of Trade Union. The functions, duties and rights of the Trade Union will be as follows:

To take necessary action and implement necessary programs in order to achieve the Trade Union objectives mentioned in Article 9 Sub-section (1) of this Act.


To make the members to participate in the election of the Enterprise Level Authorized Trade Union.

To allow the workers to follow the decision made by the Enterprise level Authorized Trade Union.

9(B)* Right, Duties and Functions of Trade Union Association and Federation:

In addition to the functions, duties and rights mentioned in the constitution of Trade Union association and Trade Union Federation, the function, duties and rights of the Trade Union Association and Federation will be as follows:

To take necessary actions and implement necessary programs in order to achieve the objective of Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation as mentioned in Article 9 Sub-section (2) of this Act.

To make members to participants in the election of Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation.

To allow members to follow the decisions of the trade union association and Trade Union Federation.

To follow necessary measures to resolve labour disputes by representing the workers in important and national level policy issues on labour disputes and to negotiate with the government, various types of Professional Associations and Federation and Enterprises.

To negotiate with the concerned enterprises and management on behalf of the Enterprise Level Trade Union.

To establish and operate different type of funds for the interest and welfare of workers. To make public the oppression on workers and Trade Union and to issue necessary warning

to the concerned enterprises for the same.

10. Constitution:

The following particulars shall be included in the Constitution of the Trade Union:-

Name and address of Trade Union; Objective of the establishment of Trade Union; Procedure of the formation of the working committee as well as the term of office shall be a

maximum period of four years; General Membership, the number of officials and the mechanism of their election; Provision that only a worker, who is a Nepali Citizen and having served continuously for one

year to be elected for the official post; Provision regarding fund of the Trade Union and its auditing; Provision regarding inspection and examination of the account of the Trade Union; Provision to bring the vote of no confidence against the officials; Provision regarding function, duty, right and meeting of the working committee and the

General Assembly of Trade Union; The procedure of amendment of the Constitution of Trade Union; Provision regarding dissolution of the Trade Union; Provision regarding liability and property of the Trade Union after its dissolution.

2. If any amendment is made in the Constitution of the Trade Union, the concerned Trade Union* shall inform the Registrar with a copy of such amendment within 35 days after such amendment has been made and approval of such amendment have to taken from the Registrar

11. Recognition of the Authorized Trade Union:


The Authorized Trade Union shall be recognized for the collective bargaining with the management on behalf of the workers of Authorized Enterprise Level Trade Union.

1. 1(a)* If case only one Trade Union is being registered in any enterprise and if no Trade Union is being registered within three months of the registration, the Trade Union registered at first shall be regarded as an Authorized Trade Union.

1(b)* The three months period, as being mentioned in 1A, shall be counted from the date of operation of this Act.

2. The Authorized Trade Union recognized pursuant to Sub-section (1) shall inform to the Registrar and the Manager within 15 days after such recognition has been extended.

3. The Registrar shall provide the certificate of Authorized Trade Union as prescribed within 15 days from the date of receipt of notice pursuant to Sub-section (2).

4.* The election procedure of the Authorized Trade Union will be made as presumed.

12. Presentation of Claim:

Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 74 (1) of the Labour Act, 2048 (1991) the working committee of the Authorized Trade Union on behalf of the workers may present claims in written form with the number and names of its representative to the management for collective bargaining.

The Authorized Trade Union shall not go on strike in Enterprise or do such action that may assist it in any manner without completing the procedure mentioned in Section 76 of the Labour Act, 2048 (1991).

13. Duration of Validity of the Recognition of the Authorized Trade Union:

The duration to bargain collectively on behalf of the workers of the Authorized Trade Union recognized pursuant in Section 11 with the management shall remain valid for two years from the date of issue of the certificate by the Registrar pursuant to Sub-section (3) of the same Section.

However, in case the registration of the Authorized Trade Union is being annulled or such Trade Union is dissolved, another Authorized Trade Union shall be elected within the three months of the dissolution*.

CHAPTER – 4

14. Appointment of the Registrar:

His Majesty’s Government shall appoint Registrars as necessary for the registration of the Trade Union in accordance to this Act.

Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-section (1) His Majesty’s Government may, by notification published in the Nepal Gazette, authorize as necessary any other officer to use the power of Registrar.

15. Functions, Duties and Power of the Registrar:

The functions, duties and power of the Registrar shall be as follows:-

To register the Trade Union. To maintain and keep up to date Register Book with detailed particulars of the registered Trade

Union and other related particulars. To demand additional particulars necessary for the registration of the Trade Union.


To take necessary action if the particulars, report or other documents required to be submitted by the Trade Union under the Act is not submitted or if false particulars are submitted.

To specify the procedure of election of the Authorized Trade Union.

16. Register Book:

The Registrar shall maintain a separate Register Book to keep upto date the particulars, records etc. of the Trade Union.

CHAPTER-5

17. (1) The trade Union shall have its own separate fund and the fund shall contain the following amounts:-

The amount obtained from the membership fee. The amount obtained from the national organizations in the form of Aid or Grant. The amount obtained from any other sources.

(2) All expenses incurred in the name of Trade Union shall be borne out from the Fund.

(3)The amount to be contained in the fund pursuant to Sub-section (1) shall be deposited by opening an account in any Commercial Bank within the Kingdom of Nepal.

18. Accounts and Auditing:

The accounts shall be maintained as mentioned in the Constitution of the Trade Union. The accounts maintained pursuant to Sub-section (1) shall be audited by the auditor appointed by

the General Meeting of the Trade Union.

CHAPTER – 6

Miscellaneous

19. Merging of the Trade Union:

1. # If two or more than two Trade Unions like to merge into one Trade Union and if the majority of the General Assembly Members of Trade Union cast vote in favour of such merging, such Trade Union may constitute a new Trade Union by mutual agreement.

2. In order to register a new Enterprise Levelx Trade Union constituted pursuant to sub-section (1), the officials authorized by the working committee shall apply to the Register in the specified form with a copy of the agreement mutually entered into by the merged Trade Unions, the Constitution of the Trade Union, prescribed fee and other prescribed particulars.

20. Information of the change in name:

If any Trade Union changes its own name the Registrar shall be informed of such changes within 15 days of the change of name.

21. Effect of change in name, merging or dissolution:

No effect shall occur in the power to be achieved or obligation to be fulfilled by such Trade Union only by the reason of change in name of Trade Union.


The merging of two or more than two Trade Unions into only one Trade Union or the dissolution of Trade Union in other Trade Union shall have no effect in the obligation to be performed by such Trade Union.

22.# Obligation to be fulfilled regarding contracts:

It shall be the duty of such Trade Union and the party to the contract entered with the Trade Union to fulfill the obligation of the contract entered into by the Trade Union itself or by the authorized officials on behalf of the Trade Union.

If a case has to be filed relating to disputes arising out of the agreement reached between the Trade Union and the management as per sub clause (1) the case should be filed at the Labour Court with in thirty days of such dispute or the cause for litigation.

23. No Case to be filed:

After complying with the procedure of this Act or the Labour Act, 2048(1991) if the Authorized Enterprise Level Trade Union or the Official of such Trade Union#, while doing anything in the context of collective bargaining have affected by its action to the Enterprise, no case shall be filled against Trade Union or the officials in any court regarding such action.

23(a)* No transfer or promotion:

Except in special circumstances, the officials of the Enterprise Level Trade Union shall not be transfer or promoted without their consent.

24. Presentation of Annual Report:

The Trade Union shall submit to the Registrar an annual report of each year within three months from the end of fiscal year by auditing its account books showing clearly all property, loan including obligations of the Trade Unions.

In the annual report pursuant to Sub-section (1) the total number of members saying charges to the Trade Union and the particulars of the officials changed during the year shall also be included.

25. Cancellation of the Registration:

the Registrar shall cancel the Trade Union registered under this Act on the following circumstances:

If the Trade Union applies an application to the Registrar for the cancellation of its registration.

If it is proved that the registration of the Trade Union has been made by mistake or fraudulent act.

If anything is done contrary to this Act or the Regulations made under this Act.

2. # When canceling the registration of any Trade Union under the condition mentioned in part (b) and (c) of Sub-section (1) the Registrar shall give notice to the concerned Trade Union in written form asking clarification within fifteen days on the reason for the cancellation.

3. The registrar can cancel the registration of such trade unions if the trade union fails to submit clarification letter with in the specified period under sub clause (2) or the submitted clarification letter is found to be not satisfactory and not according to the law.

26. Officials of Trade Union Association and Federation:


Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Act, the Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation shall appoint from their working committees not exceeding 10 percent and 25 percent respectively of the total number of officials who are engaged in the protection and promotion of the rights of the worker, in the officials of the Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation.

26(a)* Trade Union Representation: While nominating the representatives from the Trade Union or representing the Trade Unions, where there are more than one Trade Union related to the subject matter, His Majesty's Government shall nominate or represent the Trade Unions on a proportionate or rotationary basis.

27. Notice of Dissolution of Trade Union to be provided:

If a Trade Union is to be dissolved in accordance with the Constitution, the notice of such dissolution has to be provided to the Registrar by the concerned official with reason.

After receiving the notice of dissolution of trade Union pursuant to Sub-section (1) the Registrar shall register such notice only in the case of the Trade Union which has been dissolved in accordance with the Constitution.

27(a)* Instituting of Case and Limitation: Other than things stated otherwise in this Act, if a case has to be filed against any person on the ground of contradiction to this Act or the regulations made under this Act, the case has to be filed within three months from the date of contradiction of the Act or from the date of cause to file such case.

28. Offence & Punishment:

# If any official, member or staff member of Trade Union misappropriate the property of the program or the fund operated by the Trade Union or to cause loss and damage to such property, the Labour Court may order such officials, members or staff members to compensate the proporty lost or damaged and fine to the extent of Rs.5000/- or one year’s imprisonment or both.

If the particulars, reports, notices, or any other documents to be submitted on behalf of the Trade Union in accordance with this Act or the rules under this Act is not submitted or false particulars are submitted, the Registrar may fine the concerned official to the extent of Rupees five hundred.

29. Appeal:

An appeal to the case initially decided by the Labour Court in accordance with this Act shall lie to the Appeal Court.

An appeal on the order made by the Registrar under this Act may be filed to the Labour Court. An appeal may be filed within 35 days from the date of such proceeding and decision made by the

Labour Court or the order made by the Registrar.

30. Special Power of His Majesty’s Government:

His Majesty’s Government may give necessary order or direction to restrict such activities of Trade Union if the activity of the Trade Union seem to create extra-ordinary situation thereby disturbing the peace and order or to go against the economic development of the country.

31. Power to Frame Rule:

His Majesty’s Government may frame necessary rules to carry out the purpose of this Act.


* Additions made by the First Amendment.

# Changes made by the First Amendment.

x Excluded by the First Amendment.

LABOUR ADMINISTRATION NEPAL

Department(s) in charge of Labour Inspection

The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management is responsible for labour inspection. The ministry is divided into

two divisions, two departments and one directorate. These are: (1) the Employment Promotion, Administration and

Transport Management Division which includes: Foreign Employment, Monitoring and Inspection Section; (2) the

Policy Planning and Labour Relations; (3) the Department of Labour and Employment Promotion; (4) the Department

of Transport Management and (5) the Vocational and Skill Development Training Directorate. The Department of

Labour and Employment Promotion is the central level execution body of labour administration as well as the

coordinating body of all labour offices established in the field. The responsibilities of the department include: following

up the enforcement of labour legislation and coordinating the field office job of labour inspection, occupational safety

and health.

Law that covers organization and functional composition

• Labour Act (2048), 1992

Scope of labour inspection

Labour inspection in Nepal, as an institution, is almost inexistent. There are two categories of staff that control the

application of labour law provisions: labour officers and factory inspectors. Factory inspectors focus on occupational

safety and health, basically checking machinery such as steam generators. Labour officers focus on working

conditions. In practice, due to the problem of scarce human resources, factory inspectors are in fact assigned as

labour officers – chiefs of the offices - and control the application of working conditions as well.

Local divisions

There are ten labour offices with the task of supervising, administering and monitoring labour legislation. These

labour offices cover all the administrative regions of the country. Support provided to labour offices in the fields by the

central level is minimal.


Programming and communication

The inspectors set annual targets themselves, but the central authorities demand no targets, which seems to be

rooted in the lack of proper data collection for statistical purposes. But since data is not properly collected, statistics

are not available and planning is therefore inexistent. Planning does not have a strategic component to it, and it is a

mere compilation of the work projected in each of the field offices, based on past experience.

Coordination with field offices is an area where efficiency could be improved, (with little resource allocation) starting

with strategic planning.

Current reforms

Technical support has been provided by the ILO to identify short, medium and long term actions that could be taken

to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of labour inspection.

Among the recommendations made, we can highlight the creation of a new labour inspectorate with increase

functional responsibilities, labour law reforms, mechanisms to increase the number of labour inspectors, accredited

companies/entities to carry out certain specialized audits/certification, and the empowerment of labour inspectors.

Human Resources and career development

Permanency of inspectors

Currently, there is no career development strategy with clear promotion opportunities in place.

Selection process

In a number of cases, labour inspectors are assigned to the labour office in the field structure of the labour

administration without any prior experience in the field of labour. It becomes a “learning-by-doing” process to carry

out the duties and exercise the powers of labour officers.

Background required

Factory inspectors are engineers by education.

Visits and functions

Types of visits

N/A

Role of preventive measures

The Occupational Safety and Health Project was established under the Ministry of Labour and Transport

Management in 1995 with the prime objective of creating the awareness of occupational safety and health among


industrial employers, employees and the concerned officials of the government and thereby improving the conditions

of work. Among its objectives is to facilitate regular and organized workplace inspection and monitoring for effective

implementation of the legal provisions of workplace improvement, to provide training facilities to all the stakeholders

for the protection and promotion of the safety and health of the workers. Moreover, the project facilitates regular and

organized workplace monitoring and provides advisory services on the possible improvement of the workplace, with

respect to the protection and promotion of workers occupational safety and health.

Programming

N/A

Registries and reporting of accidents/diseases at work

N/A

Sanctions and administrative processes

Inspectors do not have prosecution authority.

Social partners and labour inspection

The Labour Act foresees the creation of Welfare Officers to be appointed in every establishment employing 250 or

more workers or employees. The general manager of the establishment designates the Welfare Officer and the

labour department must be notified accordingly. The functions, duties and powers of the Welfare Officer and the

Assistant Welfare Officer, according to the Act, “shall be as prescribed”.

In July 2008, there was ongoing discussion on involving the social partners in “certified” inspector programmes in

order to assist the central authority.

ILO Conventions ratified

Nepal has neither ratified Convention No. 81 nor No. 129.

UNIT 3 TRADE UNIONISM

CONCEPT OF TRADE UNIONISM

A trade union is an organization of employees formed on a continuous basis for the purpose of securing diverse range of benefits. It is a continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of their working lives.

The Trade Union Act 1926 defines a trade union as a combination, whether temporary or


permanent, formed primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers or between workmen and workmen, or between employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive condition on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes any federation of two or more trade unions.

This definition is very exhaustive as it includes associations of both the workers and employers and the federations of their associations. Here, the relationships that have been talked about are both temporary and permanent. This means it applies to temporary workers (or contractual employees) as well. Then this definition, primarily, talks about three relationships. They are the relationships between the:

workmen and workmen,

workmen and employers, and

Employers and employers.

Thus, a trade union can be seen as a group of employees in a particular sector, whose aim is to negotiate with employers over pay, job security, working hours, etc, using the collective power of its members. In general, a union is there to represent the interests of its members, and may even engage in political activity where legislation affects their members. Trade unions are voluntary associations formed for the pursuit of protecting the common interests of its members and also promote welfare. They protect the economic, political and social interests of their members.

OBJECTIVES OF TRADE UNION

Trade unions are formed to protect and promote the interests of their members. Their primary function is to protect the interests of workers against discrimination and unfair labor practices. Trade unions are formed to achieve the following objectives:

Representation

Trade unions represent individual workers when they have a problem at work. If an employee feels he is being unfairly treated, he can ask the union representative to help sort out the difficulty with the manager or employer. Unions also offer their members legal representation. Normally this is to help people get financial compensation for work-related injuries or to assist people who have to take their employer to court.

Negotiation

Negotiation is where union representatives, discuss with management, the issues which affect people working in an organization. There may be a difference of opinion between management and union members. Trade unions negotiate with the employers to find out a solution to these differences. Pay, working hours, holidays and changes to working


practices are the sorts of issues that are negotiated. In many workplaces there is a formal agreement between the union and the company which states that the union has the right to negotiate with the employer. In these organizations, unions are said to be recognized for collective bargaining purposes.

Voice in decisions affecting workers

The economic security of employees is determined not only by the level of wages and duration of their employment, but also by the management’s personal policies which include selection of employees for layoffs, retrenchment, promotion and transfer. These policies directly affect workers. The evaluation criteria for such decisions may not be fair. So, the intervention of unions in such decision making is a way through which workers can have their say in the decision making to safeguard their interests.

Member services

During the last few years, trade unions have increased the range of services they offer their members. These include:

o Education and training - Most unions run training courses for their members on employment rights, health and safety and other issues. Some unions also help members who have left school with little education by offering courses on basic skills and courses leading to professional qualifications.

o Legal assistance - As well as offering legal advice on employment issues, some unions give help with personal matters, like housing, wills and debt.

o Financial discounts - People can get discounts on mortgages, insurance and loans from unions.

o Welfare benefits - One of the earliest functions of trade unions was to look after members who hit hard times. Some of the older unions offer financial help to their members when they are sick or unemployed.

METHODS USED BY TRADE UNIONS TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES

• Mutual insurance

• Collective bargaining

• Legal enactments/ political actions


• Strikes

• Bandhs

• Gheraos

• Boycott

• Lockout

• Picketing

FEATURES OF TRADE UNION

1. It is an association either of employers or employees or of independent workers. They may consist of :-

o Employers’ association (eg., Employer’s Federation of India, Indian paper mill association, etc.)

o General labor unions

o Friendly societies

o Unions of intellectual labor (eg, All India Teachers Association) 2. It is formed on a continuous basis. It is a permanent body and not a casual or temporary one.

They persist throughout the year.

3. It is formed to protect and promote all kinds of interests –economic, political and social-of its members. The dominant interest with which a union is concerned is, however, economic.

4. It achieves its objectives through collective action and group effort. Negotiations and collective bargaining are the tools for accomplishing objectives.

5. Trade unions have shown remarkable progress since their inception; moreover, the character of trade unions has also been changing. In spite of only focusing on the economic benefits of workers, the trade unions are also working towards raising the status of labors as a part of industry.

PLUS

– Trade Unions maybe associated with either of employers/ employees or independent workers.

– Labor Unions are relatively permanent combination of workers & are not temporary or casual.

– A Trade Union is an association of workers who are engaged in securing economic benefit for their members.


– Trade Unions change their methods & their working style according to the change in technology & systems of production.

– Trade Unions have now become legalized & recognized institutions.

Functions of Trade Unions

Functions relating to members

Functions relating to organization

Functions relating to the union; and

Functions relating to the society.

Functions relating to trade union members

1. To safeguard workers against all sorts of exploitation by the employers, by union leaders and by political parties.

2. To protect workers from the atrocities and unfair practices of the management.

3. To ensure healthy, safe and conducive working conditions, and adequate conditions of work.

4. To exert pressure for enhancement of rewards associated with the work only after making a realistic assessment of its practical implications.

5. To ensure a desirable standard to living by providing various types of social service – health, housing, educational, recreational, cooperative, etc. and by widening and consolidating the social security measures.

6. To guarantee a fair and square deal and social security measures.

7. To remove the dissatisfaction and redress the grievances and complaints of workers.

8. To encourage worker’s participation in the management of industrial organization and trade union, and to foster labour-management cooperation.

9. To make the workers conscious of their rights and duties.

10. To impress upon works the need to exercise restraint in the use of rights and to enforce them after realistically ascertaining their practical implications.

11. To stress the significance of settling disputes through negotiation, joint consultation and voluntary arbitration.


12. The raise the status of trade union members in the industrial organization and in the society at large.

Functions relating to industrial organization

1. To highlight industrial organization as a joint enterprise between workers and management and to promote identity of interests.

2. To increase production quantitatively and qualitatively, by laying down the norms or production and ensuring their adequate observance.

3. To help in the maintenance of discipline.

4. To create opportunities for worker’s participation in management and to strengthen labor-management cooperation.

5. To help in the removal of dissatisfaction and redressal of grievances and complaints.

6. To promote cordial and amicable relations between the workers and management by settling disputes through negotiation, joint consultation and voluntary arbitration, and by avoiding litigation.

7. To create favorable opinion of the management towards trade unions and improve their status in industrial organization.

8. To exert pressure on the employer to enforce legislative provision beneficial to the workers, to share the profits equitably, and to keep away from various types of unfair labor practices.

9. To facilitate communication with the management.

10. To impress upon the management the need to adopt reformative and not punitive, approach towards workers’ faults.

Functions relating to trade unions organization

1. To formulate policies and plans consistent with those of the industrial organization and society at large.

2. To improve financial position by fixing higher subscription, by realizing the union dues and by organizing special fund-raising campaigns.

3. To preserve and strengthen trade union democracy.

4. To train members to assume leadership position.


5. To improve the network of communication between trade union and its members.

6. To curb inter-union rivalry and thereby help in the creating of unified trade union movement.

7. To resolve the problem of factionalism and promote unity and solidarity within the union.

8. To eradicate casteism, regionalism and linguism within the trade union movement.

9. To keep away from unfair labour practices.

10. To save the union organization from the exploitation by vested interests –personal and political.

11. To continuously review the relevance of union objectives in the context of social change, and to change them accordingly.

12. To prepare and maintain the necessary records.

13. To manage the trade union organization on scientific lines.

14. To publicise the trade union objectives and functions, to know people’s reaction towards them, and to make necessary modifications.

Functions relating to society

1. To render all sorts of constructive cooperation in the formulation and implementation of plans and policies relating to national development.

2. To actively participate in the development of programmes of national development, e.g., family planning, afforestation, national integration, etc.

3. To launch special campaigns against the social evils of corporation, nepotism, communalism, casteism, regionalism, linguism, price rise, hoarding, black marketing, smuggling, sex, inequality, dowry, untouchability, illiteracy, dirt and disease.

4. To create public opinion favourable to government’s policies and plans, and to mobilize people’s participation for their effective implementation.

5. To create public opinion favourable to trade unions and thereby to raise their status.

6. To exert pressure, after realistically ascertaining its practical implications, on the government to enact legislation conducive to the development of trade unions and their members.

TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS


There are 4 types of trade unions:-1. Craft unions-this union represents workers with a particular skill2. Industrial unions-this union represents all workers in one industry with different skills3. General unions-this union represents workers with different skills4. White collar unions-this union represents special skills like engineer or something

1. Craft unionism refers to organizing a union in a manner that seeks to unify workers in a particular industry along the lines of the particular craft or trade that they work in by class or skill level. It contrasts with industrial unionism, in which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union, regardless of differences in skill.

2. Industrial unionism is a labor union organizing method through which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union—regardless of skill or trade—thus giving workers in one industry, or in all industries, more leverage in bargaining and in strike situations. Advocates of industrial unionism value its contributions to building unity and solidarity, suggesting the slogans, "an injury to one is an injury to all" and "the longer the picket line, the shorter the strike."

Industrial unionism contrasts with craft unionism, which organizes workers along lines of their specific trades, i.e., workers using the same kind of tools, or doing the same kind of work with approximately the same level of skill, even if this leads to multiple union locals (with different contracts, and different expiration dates) in the same workplace.

3. A General Union is a trade union (called labor union in American English) which represents workers from all industries and companies, rather than just one organization or a particular sector, as in a craft union or industrial union. A general union differs from a union federation or trades council in that its members are individuals, not unions.

The creation of general unions, from the early nineteenth century in the United Kingdom and somewhat later elsewhere, occurred around the same time as efforts began to unionize workers in new industries, in particular those where employment could be irregular.

Proponents of general unions claim that their broader range of members allows more opportunities for solidarity action and better coordination in general strikes and the like. Detractors claim that the broader remit means they tend to be more bureaucratic and respond less effectively to events in a single industry.

In the United Kingdom, general unions include the GMB and the TGWU. In Australia a good example of a general union is the Australian Workers Union


4. The term white-collar worker refers to a salaried professional or an educated worker who performs semi-professional office, administrative, and sales coordination tasks, as opposed to a blue-collar worker, whose job requires manual labor. "White-collar work" is an informal term, defined in contrast to "blue-collar work".

TRADE UNIONISM IN NEPAL

Origin of Trade Unions in Nepal

The history of trade union movement in Nepal is of recent origin. There were no trade unions in Nepal before 1945 as the country was under the family rule of Ranas. Nepal had followed closed-door economy having almost no relations with the outside world. In 1946 All Nepal Trade Union Congress (ANTUC) was formed. In 1947, Biratnagar Workers Union (BWU) was set up. In March 1947 the first workers’ movement took place at Biratnagar for the establishment of democracy. In 1951 ANTUC and BWU became united and formed the first trade union federation in Nepal. The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in 1953 granted membership to ANTUC. After the democratic change of 1950, the freedom of association allowed the opportunities to many voluntary organisations in the country and the workers, too, felt the need to be united under one umbrella to fight against the exploitation of the management and the government. The unions existed at that time were:

Biratnagar Workers’ Union, Cotton Mills Workers’ Union, All Nepal Trade Union Congress, Independent Workers’ Union, Biratnagar Mills Workers’ Association, All Nepal United Workers’ Union, All Nepal Trade Union Organisation and Nepal Labour Union. But these unions were merely instruments of the political parties without the capacity of free collective bargaining. This is clear from the fact that Girija Prasad Koirala, now, the president of Nepali Congress Party and late Mana Mohan Adhikari, former president of the United Marxist-Leninist Party, were active both in trade unions and their respective parties. After the success of democratic struggle against 104 years of Rana family rule in 1950 freedom of expression and organisation became part of political life.

The Nepalese political history took a new turn in 1960 when the King staged a putsch, banned the political parties and trade unions and established a partyless Panchayat system in 1962. This system limited the freedom of expression and association but envisioned creating exploitation-free society through the harmonisation and co-ordination of the interests of different classes. For this, six different class organisations including Nepal Labour organisation were created. As this organisation was controlled by the system and also that the central body was heavily politicised, the objective of ensuring the labour welfare remained unfulfilled. Still, some of the noticeable achievements were also made during this period in the field of labour administration, such as, establishment of a separate labour ministry, department and some labour offices and the admission of Nepal into the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as a member.

Multi-party democracy was restored in the Spring of 1990 in the country after the success of people's movement, in which many professional organisations, including workers had actively participated. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 guaranteed multi-party parliamentary system, human rights, constitutional monarchy and the sovereignty of people. It also granted the freedom of expression and association, which inspired the formation of trade unions. At an early stage, there was mushrooming growth of trade unions. They were heavily divided in the line of political ideologies. Each party has its


own unions, if not general federation. With the passage of time, most of these unions could not exist and some of the unions were merged.

All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANTUF) has been continuously struggling from the very beginning of its establishment for political rights, economic and occupational rights and social security for workers'. Proportional Representation of workers in national policy making, freedom of trade union right, ownership on means of productions, guarantee of employment, reasonable wages and perks, and social security for all is our tactical objectives whereas establishment of proletarian state is our strategy.Because of the above characteristics of ANTUF which are exactly similar to the vision of United Nepal communist party- Maoist (UNCPN-Maoist) , it is proud to be a sister organization of UCPN- Maoist and it will strongly go further to establish the very visions of UCPN- Maoist. We intend to go together with all the trade unions around the globe for workers' right.An outline of ANTUF

1. Workers movement started since 1947 in Nepal.2. Establishment of ANTUC in 1950 in the direction of communist of party Nepal (CPN).3. First president late comrade Bal Bahadur Rai (he was a retired foreman of Biratnagar jute

Mills)4. First secretary general of ANTUC and founder member of CPN comrade Nara Bahadur

Karmacharya.5. CPN banned in 1951.6. Trade union activities were gone underground in 1961 cause of coup de etat by autocratic

king Mahendra.7. Revolutionary Trade union reactivated since 1970 -1971 on the leadership of com. Ishori

Dahal.8. After people's movement of 2046 all Nepal workers union, all Nepal trade union and National

workers union was united and they stand on the name of ANTUC again9. First unification conference held in 1991 and comrade Dinesh Sharma elected as president.10. Com. Ravi karki elected in 1993 in the Second national conference.11. Com Kumar Dahal elected as president in 1993 after federal council's meeting.12. Com Kumar Dahal elected in the post of president in 1995 after 3rd national conference.13. Com Shalikram jamkattel elected in the post of president in 4rth national conference.14. Unification Process of Revolutionary trade unions and worker started since 1993.15. Unification of Two revolutionary trade unions (ANFTU and ANTUC) in 2008. 16. Polarization of revolutionary working class is still on

PRESENT POSITION OF TRADE UNION IN NEPAL

Strength of Trade Union Federations

Restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal in 1990 opened the space for civil society organizations including trade unions. Registration of trade unions started in 1993. Trade Union Act of 1992 makes the registration and renewal of trade unions in every two years mandatory. The period between 1993 to 1999 can be called a "conducive" period for union activism while the period between 2000-2002 can be regarded as a bad period. Violent Maoist conflicts, closing of many enterprises, the successive government's bias towards the capital, declaration of the state of emergency and suspension of civil rights (also workers' rights) can be attributed to the decline of trade union movement in Nepal.


The registration of trade union federation is based on the legitimate membership patterns of member unions under Trade Union Act. The recognition of all three national federations-- Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) and Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions (DECONT)-- will remain until 2003.

NTUC claims that it has one hundred 92 thousand members. GEFONT affirms that it has five hundred thousand members and DECONT claims that it has two hundred thirty-nine thousand members. But, the fee-paying members are less than stipulated. The Department of Labor also reveals that only a half million workers are unionized. One hundred thousand in agriculture sector and four hundred thousand in industrial sectors, bulk of those organized are concentrated in construction and transportation sectors. NTUC and GEFONT's strength lies in organized sector while DECONT's strength lies in unorganized sector.

Registration and the Type of Membership of Trade Unions:

Trade Union Act of 1992 has underlined four criteria for the registration of Trade Union Association:

At least 50 Enterprise Level Trade Unions can form a national Trade Union Association by Mutual Agreement (Clause 4 (1) of Trade Union Act).

Five-thousand workers from similar nature of Enterprise can also form a trade union (Clause 4 (1) of Trade Union Act).

In the case of agriculture sector, 5,000 workers can form a union by mutual agreement but the union must have a representation from at least 20 districts and a minimum of 100 workers' representation from one district (Clause 4 (1) of Trade Union Act).

Those working in informal sector and self-employed can also form a union if they have at least five hundred members working in the same nature of occupation (Clause 4 (2) of Trade Union Act).

In the Department of Labor 85 national level trade Unions are registered. Out of them only 57 are "active." In this figure, the share of GEFONT is 15, NTUC 17, DECONT 14 and those unaffiliated to any federation is 11. Out of 15 trade unions affiliated to GEFONT 7 trade unions are registered under the Clause 4 (1) of Trade Union Act having more than 50 enterprise level unions, 2 trade union associations have been registered under the more than five thousand individual membership, 1 agricultural workers' union and 5 unions are registered under Clause 4 (2) of Trade Union Act.

Out of 17 trade unions affiliated with NTUC 3 unions are registered under the Clause 4 (1) having more than 50 unions at enterprise level, 4 union are registered under Clause 4 (1) of Trade Union Act with five thousand individual membership, and 10 unions are registered under Clause 4 (2) of Trade Union Act.

None of DECONT affiliated unions are registered with 50 or more enterprise level unions. Its 7 unions are registered with 5000 members each, 1 agricultural workers' union with 5000 members and rest of its unions are registered under Clause 4 (2) of the Trade Union Act having each union 500 individual members.

Though the legal status of the central level unions formed on individual membership basis is equal to the central federation of enterprise level unions but at the local level they are not effective in collective bargaining, do not participate in industrial relations committee, become authoritative through election, run public welfare fund and engage in day to day problems of workers. This implies that in Nepal's labor market out of existing 57 active trade unions it is only GEFONT's 7 and NTUC's 3 unions organized at the enterprise level which have the real capacity to empower the unions in the organized sector. Unaffiliated unions have their own independent role. It is not clear whether there is a decline of members in unions formed by individuals. Industrial decay throughout the nation indicates that there is a corresponding decline in the number of such unions.

The survival of Nepal Hotel Workers' Union of NTUC is in danger. In the days ahead Nepal Independent Workers' Union and Nepal Independent Food and Beverage Worker's Union of GEFONT and Nepal Hotel Workers' Union of NTUC might suffer the same fate if they do not have fifty union membership. This implies


that the unions affiliated with GEFONT have important role in collective bargaining. Evidently, no matter how many numbers they have in the trade union federation registered under Clause 4(2) of Trade Union Act they are counted only as four unions.

Twenty-three national level unions relating to brick, wood, barber, restaurants, garment, health workers, leather shoe, commercial artist, workshop, etc affiliated with different federations and others' registration at the Labor Department were cancelled recently due to a lack of requisite members.

Promulgation and Implementation of Labor Laws in Nepal

After the promulgation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal in 1990, many progressive acts are formulated to promote labor welfare, such as

Labor Act 1992 (amended in 1998), Child Labor Act 1992, Transportation and Vehicles Management Act 1993, Tea Plantation Workers' Regulation, 1993 Foreign Employment Act 1985 (revised in 1993) Trade Union Act 1993 (amended in 1999), Working Journalist Act 1994, Labor Court Regulation Act 1995, Establishment of a Labor Court 1996, Formation of a Central Labor Advisory Board 1998 Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1999 Revision of Bonus Act, 1973 in 2000, and Creation of National Welfare Fund 2000

Nepal also endorsed 9 conventions passed by International Labor Organization (ILO), such as

Weekly Rest in Industrial Enterprise Convention, 1921 (No. 14). Forced Labor Convention, 1930 (No. 29). Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98). Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951(No. 100) Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No.111). Determination of Minimum Wage Convention, 1970 (No. 131). Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No.138). Tripartite Consultation (International Labor Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999 (No. 182).

Minimum Wage Structure

In Nepal, minimum wages for workers per month have been classified into four categories:

unskilled workers US $ 27.00 semi-skilled workers $27.76 skilled workers $31.61 highly skilled workers$33.00

The minimum wage structure is unable to meet even the basic needs of workers and their families where the average family ratio is 4.5 members. Trade Unions are, therefore, demanding the rise in minimum wage conditions and its effective implementation so that it can meet the basic needs of workers. In informal sectors, there is the problem in the implementation of this wage structure. Due to lack of adequate resources and proper institutional mechanism many of these labor standards have become non-actionable and non-justiceable. Government also violates these standards. There are several examples:


In 2001 the government banned the Independent Hotel Workers Union's strike on March 19, 2001. The hotel workers had gone on strike demanding a ten per cent service charge in the hotel sector which was suppressed by imposing the Essential Service Act 1957.The Joint Struggle Committee had filed a case at the Supreme Court against the government's move to ban the hotel workers from going on strike. ILO in a letter sent to the government has requested it to lift the ban and has said the hotel workers have the right to go on strike.

Trade unions also resisted the former premier Sher B. Deuba's efforts to bring flexible labor laws by giving the right to "hire and fire" to employers contrary to labor laws.The verdict of the Supreme Court on July 26, 2002 also went contrary to government's decision to relax labor laws. The Court has instructed the government to initiate necessary steps towards reviewing provisions in the treaty and the Labor Act to issue work permit for foreigners.

The parliament has even passed International Financial Center Bill in 1998 that contravenes the Nepalese people's right to work, right to information and citizenship rights.

A Labor Force conducted in 1998-1999 unveils that about 41 percent of the total 4.9 million children aged between 5 to 14 years are child labor involved in agriculture and even in worst forms of child labor practices, such as rag-pickers, carpet workers, mines workers, porters, bonded labor and child trafficking. About 12,000 girls are trafficked each year. Child labor practices continue due to the laxity in the implementation of Child Labor Act 1999.

GEFONT conducted a survey research in 2001 in 750 enterprises (textile, garment, jute, spinning mills, tea plantation, printing press, carpet, cement, chemical iron, food and beverage, hotel, construction, transportation, agriculture, etc) to test the "effective implementation of labor laws" since the enactment of Labor Act 1992.

On recruitment process, for example, regarding the granting of appointment letter, making permanent after working 240 days, an advertisement for recruitment and employment on contract basis on permanent nature of jobs, the survey result reveals that only 38 percent of enterprises provides appointment letter to their workers, 20 percent made workers permanent after the stipulated days of work, 11 percent did advertise before recruiting workers and 40 percent did not employ workers in contract in permanent nature of works.

On working hours and facilities, for example, the survey shows that 63 percent of enterprises did have fixed working hours (8 hours a day), only 44 percent of them paid for over time work, and 42 percent of them implemented minimum wage.

On provision of leaves, such as, weekly rest, public holiday, compassionate leave, house leave, sick leave, and maternity leave the survey result shows that 64 percent of enterprises provides weekly leave, very few of them provide 45-day maternity leave, 55 percent provides both public holidays and compassionate leave and 50 percent provides house leaves.

On trade union rights, 40 percent of the enterprises accepts the charter of demands, in 42 percent of the enterprises management discusses about the collective bargaining process and in 64 percent of enterprises, collective agreements and decisions made by the government are not implemented. Thirty-seven percent of enterprise has tried to harass the establishment of unions while 35 percent of enterprises frequently harass the workers involved in union activities.

On occupational safety and health 62 percent of enterprises has treatment facility during accident and injury, 15 percent of enterprises has compensation during sickness, 15 percent has health check up facility, 22 percent has accident insurance and 23 percent has treatment facility.

On the worker-management relationship and regulation, 24 percent of the enterprises has their own regulations and 7 percent has constituted labor relations committee according to Labor Act 1992. Most of the organized sectors have their own regulation and labor relation committee in each enterprise to settle industrial disputes.

In 1999, Industrial Relations Forum conducted a study on labor disputes. Based on 150 cases sampled from the court, it is found that over 56 percent of the cases was related to employee's dismissals while another 23 percent was related to remuneration. On an average it took nine month to settle the case. These findings vividly indicate that violation of labor rights is frequent. Carpet sector is a major one which does not maintain even minimum norms and labor standards. There is an increasing trend of recruiting workers in casual and


contract basis, agricultural and construction sectors host big number of guest workers and majority of the enterprises are not prepared to operate the labor relation committee. Bulk of enterprises ignores occupational health and safety measures. Trade unions blame that Labor Departments are often biased in tripartite negotiations, influenced by the government in power and suffer from inadequate personnel, legal jurisdiction and government's neglect. Yet, compared to trade unions employer's council Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is very much institutionalized and is backed by research and development, specialized departments, government's backing and international support. To solve some of the problems underlined above, Nepalese trade unions are demanding for a Code of Ethics for Business Communities and MNCs and a legislation for ethical business practices.

The situation of trade unions since June 2002

After the declaration of the state of emergency in November 2001, the law and order situation of the country sharply deteriorated causing the shutdown of industries and business and, consequently, accelerating the process of job layoffs of workers. This process has badly affected enterprise level trade unions. Trade Union Acts require compulsory renewal of all the enterprise level registered trade unions in every two years. Those duly renewed and registered ones are called "active unions." Based on the data provided by 10 Labor Departments of the country until June 2002, the analysis below explains the situation of trade unions in Nepal. The year 1999 can be regarded as the most favorable period for union registration. The year 2000 marks a declining trend owing to the growth of Maoist attacks on industries and closing of many ailing factories by the government. This brings the union registration trend back to 1993, pointing a disturbing trend in Nepal's labor market. Owing to a lack of systematic record keeping system about the renewal and registration system in the Labor Department, it is very difficult to present accurate picture. Official records show that there were 1,491 enterprise level unions until June 2002. Out of those the registration of 731 unions have been abrogated. All the federations are badly affected in terms of cancellation of the registration of unions. The labor Court has announced the cancellation of registration of five trade unions which were registered with fake names and signatures. They are:

Nepal National Independent Shopkeepers Workers' Union Nepal National Independent Grill Workers' Union Nepal Electric, Electronics Technicians' Union Nepal Independent Trekking Workers' Association Nepal Independent Construction Workers' Organization

General Focus of Trade Union Activities

Trade Union education/ training/ workshop/exposure Networking/solidarity building Democratization of Workplace Policy Intervention at various levels Occupational Health and Safety measures Social security Elimination of child labor/ bonded labor/ forced labor and caste discrimination over Dalit community Campaign and education on gender equality at workplace Collective bargaining agreements Lobbying and collective action

Joint Initiatives of Trade Union Federations

Dialogue between NTUC and GEFONT for creating a joint high-level national confederation. A high-level task force has been formed for this. They have agreed to work jointly, at least for one year, on the following issues:

Full implementation of Labor Act Authentic membership verification process


Working unity among affiliated federations Addressing terrorism and its impact on workers Formation of Occupational Health and Safety

All three unions (NTUC, GEFONT and DECONT) are involved in Poverty Reduction Strategy Program (PRSP)Trade Union Committee for Gender Equality and Promotion (TUCGEP) secretariat has been created in 2000 on gender issue. Chiefs of women departments, women leaders and executive level male counterpart of all trade union federations man it.

Under the initiative of IFBWW, there is a joint committee of GEFONT, NTUC and DECONT in the Construction, wood and building sectors. Under the ICEM initiative a national steering committee has been established for Chemical, Iron and Energy Sector of NTUC, GEFONT and independent unions.

NTUC and GEFONT affiliates at hotel and catering sectors have constituted a Joint Struggle Committee.

On Foreign Employment and Migrant Workers all the federations have established a common position.

On the revision and promotion of Minimum Wages all the federations have established a common position

All the federations consult among themselves regarding their representation in ILO, the government, and even MNCs.

Social Security Bill has been tabled by the NTUC in the parliament which has been supported by all federations.

Role of FES in Strengthening Trade Union Movement in Nepal

FES Nepal Office is cooperating with its TU partners to achieve the following objectives:

Professionalization of trade Unions Improving knowledge, skills and information among trade unions and assist them in building

solidarity

To meet these broad objectives following activities have been carried out:

Preparation of training manuals on Information Handling, Documentation and Union Office Management

Material support in the forms of journals and books Trainers' Handbook on Trade Union Organization, Trade Union Rights and Collective Bargaining Financial support to invite technical experts related to Trade Union education Training on the issues of collective bargaining, co-determination, labor economics, health and safety

for the workers, trade union rights and responsibilities and status of informal sector workers in Nepal Seminars and research publication on labor legislation, strengthening union capacity through

membership drives, organizing female workers through union campaigning, leadership empowerment, the impact of structural adjustment and globalization on the workers, women in garment industries

Facilitation of international and regional exposure of trade union leaders and workers through participation in international seminars, workshops and training programs

Providing scope for the unions and their leaders to share experiences and conduct joint national and regional programs with International Trade Secretariats such as

International Transport Workers Federation (ITF); International Federation of Metal Workers (IMF); Union Network International: Asia-Pacific (UNI-APRO); International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Union (ICEM); International Federation of Building and Wood Workers Union (IFBWW); Asian and Pacific Regional Organization of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees (APRO-FIET); Public Service International (PSI); International Federation of Journalists (IFJ); Education International (EI); International Labor


Organization (ILO); International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Association (IUF); Postal, Telegraph and Telecommunication International (PTTI); International Confederation of Free Trade Unions: Asian-Pacific Regional Organizations (ICFTU-APRO); and FES-organized regional and international conferences, including the extension of cooperation to South Asian Trade Union Council (SAARTUC).

Translation and publication of various trade union educational materials into simple Nepali language and dissemination of those materials to the national and district offices of the unions. Besides these three federations, other smaller trade unions have also benefited from these publications.

RESPONSIBILITY OF TRADE UNION

Preparation of training manuals on Information Handling, Documentation and Union Office Management.

Material support in the forms of journals and books. Trainers’ Handbook on Trade Union Organization, Trade Union Rights and Collective Bargaining Financial support to invite technical experts related to Trade Union education. Training on the issues of collective bargaining, co-determination, labour economics, health and

safety for the workers, trade union rights and responsibilities and status of informal sector workers in Nepal

Seminars and research publication on labour legislation, strengthening union capacity through membership drives, organizing female workers through union campaigning, leadership empowerment, the impact of structural adjustment and globalization on the workers, women in garment industries.

Facilitation of international and regional exposure of trade union leaders and workers through participation in international seminars, workshops and training programmes.

Providing scope for the unions and their leaders to share experiences and conduct joint national and regional programmes with International Trade Secretariats such as International Transport Workers Federation (ITF); International Federation of Metal Workers (IMF); Union Network International: Asia-Pacific (UNI-APRO); International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Union (ICEM); International Federation of Building and Wood Workers Union (IFBWW); Asian and Pacific Regional Organization of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees (APRO-FIET); Public Service International (PSI); International Federation of Journalists (IFJ); Education International (EI); International Labour Organization (ILO); International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Association (IUF); Postal, Telegraph and Telecommunication International (PTTI); International Confederation of Free Trade Unions: Asian-Pacific Regional Organizations (ICFTU-APRO); and FES-organized regional and international conferences, including the South Asian Trade Union Council (SAARTUC).

Translation and publication of various trade union educational materials into simple Nepali language and dissemination of those materials to the national and district offices of the unions. Besides these three federations, other smaller trade unions have also benefited from these publications.

Rights, duties and functions of Trade Union:

In addition to the functions, duties and rights mentioned in the constitution of Trade Union. The functions, duties and rights of the Trade Union will be as follows:

To take necessary action and implement necessary programs in order to achieve the Trade Union objectives mentioned in Article 9 Sub-section (1) of this Act.

To make the members to participate in the election of the Enterprise Level Authorized Trade Union.

To allow the workers to follow the decision made by the Enterprise level Authorized Trade Union.

9(B)* Right, Duties and Functions of Trade Union Association and Federation:


In addition to the functions, duties and rights mentioned in the constitution of Trade Union association and Trade Union Federation, the function, duties and rights of the Trade Union Association and Federation will be as follows:

To take necessary actions and implement necessary programs in order to achieve the objective of Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation as mentioned in Article 9 Sub-section (2) of this Act.

To make members to participants in the election of Trade Union Association and Trade Union Federation.

To allow members to follow the decisions of the trade union association and Trade Union Federation.

To follow necessary measures to resolve labour disputes by representing the workers in important and national level policy issues on labour disputes and to negotiate with the government, various types of Professional Associations and Federation and Enterprises.

To negotiate with the concerned enterprises and management on behalf of the Enterprise Level Trade Union.

To establish and operate different type of funds for the interest and welfare of workers. To make public the oppression on workers and Trade Union and to issue necessary warning

to the concerned enterprises for the same.

Theories of trade unionism

Theories of Trade Union Organization

The extensive literature on the theory of labor organization stresses the principle that a society controlled by organized workers is more desirable than the system of control by property owners.

We have already mentioned the formation of the revolutionary party which Marx believed was essential to the transformation of society into the socialistic state. The Webbs advocated the complete unionization of wage earners and the direct participation of the organized workers in government through the agency of a labor party whose membership would be identical with the membership of the trade unions. This program presupposes a democratic government in which majority rule is cherished. The essential principles of this plan have been achieved in England. Of quite a different character was the anarchistic theory of Michael Bakunin (1814-1876). He believed in the strong economic organization of all wage earners, but he was confident that any attempt to achieve political reforms would only lead to a diluting of the basic philosophy of the working men's movement. Economic equality should come first, principally by the confiscation of capital. The method he proposed was international organization of wage earners for revolutionary purposes. The Syndicalist movement has had much more extensive growth in Europe than in America. One of its leading exponents was Georges Sorel (1847-1922), a one-time Marxist who had lost patience with the Socialist movement and allied himself with the more militant Syndicalists. His program depended upon the organization of wage earners into syndicates (associations of working men), not unions. The aim of the organization was not political, there was no intention of taking over the power of the state. General strikes and violence were looked


upon as the chief means of securing control of industry, and domination of political institutions would follow automatically.

A less violent form of Syndicalism has been advocated by the Guild Socialists. R. H. Tawney and G. D. H. Cole, famous English economists, are prominent leaders of Guild Socialism. They believe that by gradual evolutionary means, workers organized along industrial lines can assume control of industry without at the same time controlling political institutions.

Perhaps the most conservative of all labor movements is to be found in the development of the American trade unions. As outlined by Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, union organization should be confined to the skilled trades, which by the very nature of their control of skill could bring pressure upon employers to achieve their aims. The unions should also control the training of new craftsmen through systems of apprenticeship. The labor unions as a whole would not participate directly in political activity, nor would they become affiliated with any political party. In general their policy could be described as "rewarding their friends and punishing their enemies." Their chief weapons were strikes and boycotts. In dissatisfaction with the aristocratic type of union, John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America, sponsored a new type of labor union called the industrial union. As described by Lewis, every man in a given industry, regardless of his craft or job, should be united in one union. The strength of such would lie not in the withholding of essential skills but in the complete organization of all workers in an industry. The policy of the industrial unions in politics has been to give direct support to the candidate most favorable to labor, but only as a temporary expedient until a party representing labor can be formed.

The absence of the names of the theoretical economists from this discussion of labor organization may be surprising. One must realize that the great economists of the past believed that the economic system could operate only under free competition. Labor organizations were unborn or in their infancy at the time. The reaction of the economists, therefore, was either to ignore the existence of trade unions or to look upon them, where they were present, as an evil of more or less consequence. That Adam Smith should have been aware of labor organizations and the problems associated with them even in his day is a true measure of his stature. Even Mill, for all his sympathy with the working man, felt that unions were useless. The disappearance of the freely competitive market—if such ever existed save in the minds of economists—has made it easier for later writers to discuss the theory of trade union organization as an important aspect of modern economy

UNIT 4 INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE AND GRIEVANCE

CONCEPT

An industrial dispute may be defined as a conflict or difference of opinion between management and workers on the terms of employment. It is a disagreement between an employer and


employees' representative; usually a trade union, over pay and other working conditions and can result in industrial actions. When an industrial dispute occurs, both the parties, that is the management and the workmen, try to pressurize each other. The management may resort to lockouts while the workers may resort to strikes, picketing or gheraos.An industrial dispute in defined as any dispute or difference between employers and employers, or between Employers and workmen, or between workmen and which is connected with the employment or non-employment or the terms of employment or with the conditions of labor, of any person.

This definition includes all the aspects of a dispute. It, not only includes the disagreement between employees and employers, but also emphasizes the difference of opinion between worker and worker. The disputes generally arise on account of poor wage structure or poor working conditions. This disagreement or difference could be on any matter concerning the workers individually or collectively. It must be connected with employment or non-employment or with the conditions of labor. From the point of view of the employer, an industrial dispute resulting in stoppage of work means a stoppage of production. This results in increase in the average cost of production since fixed expenses continue to be incurred. It also leads to a fall in sales and the rate of turnover, leading to a fall in profits. The employer may also be liable to compensate his customers with whom he may have contracted for regular supply. Apart from the immediate economic effects, loss of prestige and credit, alienation of the labor force, and other non-economic, psychological and social consequences may also arise. Loss due to destruction of property, personal injury and physical intimidation or inconvenience also arises.

For the employee, an industrial dispute entails loss of income. The regular income by way of wages and allowance ceases, and great hardship may be caused to the worker and his family. Employees also suffer from personal injury if they indulge into strikes n picketing; and the psychological and physical consequences of forced idleness. The threat of loss of employment in case of failure to settle the dispute advantageously, or the threat of reprisal action by employers also exists. Prolonged stoppages of work have also an adverse effect on the national productivity, national income. They cause wastage of national resources. Hatred may be generated resulting in political unrest and disrupting amicable social/industrial relations or community attitudes.

CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

The causes of industrial disputes can be broadly classified into two categories: economic and non-economic causes. The economic causes will include issues relating to compensation like wages, bonus, allowances, and conditions for work, working hours, leave and holidays without pay, unjust layoffs and retrenchments. The non economic factors will include victimization of workers, ill treatment by staff members, sympathetic strikes, political factors, indiscipline etc.


Wages and allowances:

Since the cost of living index is increasing, workers generally bargain for higher wages to meet the rising cost of living index and to increase their standards of living. In 2002, 21.4% of disputes were caused by demand of higher wages and allowances. This percentage was 20.4% during 2003 and during 2004 increased up to 26.2%. In 2005, wages and allowances accounted for 21.8% of disputes.

Personnel and retrenchment:

The personnel and retrenchment have also been an important factor which accounted for disputes. During the year 2002, disputes caused by personnel were 14.1% while those caused by retrenchment and layoffs were 2.2% and 0.4% respectively. In 2003, a similar trend could be seen, wherein 11.2% of the disputes were caused by personnel, while 2.4% and 0.6% of disputes were caused by retrenchment and layoffs. In year 2005, only 9.6% of the disputes were caused by personnel, and only 0.4% were caused by retrenchment.

Indiscipline and violence:

From the given table, it is evident that the number of disputes caused by indiscipline has shown an increasing trend. In 2002, 29.9% of disputes were caused because of indiscipline, which rose up to 36.9% in 2003. Similarly in 2004 and 2005, 40.4% and 41.6% of disputes were caused due to indiscipline respectively. During the year 2003, indiscipline accounted for the highest percentage (36.9%) of the total time-loss of all disputes, followed by cause-groups wage and allowance and personnel with 20.4% and11.2% respectively. A similar trend was observed in 2004 where indiscipline accounted for 40.4% of disputes.

Bonus:

Bonus has always been an important factor in industrial disputes. 6.7% of the disputes were because of bonus in 2002 and 2003 as compared to 3.5% and 3.6% in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Leave and working hours:

Leaves and working hours have not been so important causes of industrial disputes. During 2002, 0.5% of the disputes were because of leave and hours of work while this percentage increased to 1% in 2003. During 2004, only 0.4% of the disputes were because of leaves and working hours.

Miscellaneous:

The miscellaneous factors include

- Inter/Intra Union Rivalry- Charter of Demands


- Work Load- Standing orders/rules/service conditions/safety measures- Non-implementation of agreements and awards etc.

Classifications of Disputes:

1. Conflict of Interest:

These conflicts arise due to disagreements in level of income, fringe benefits, job security, and/or other terms and conditions of employment. Dispute can be resolved on conciliation by compromising.

2. Grievance or Rights Disputes:

Also known as conflict of rights disputes, they occur due to general disagreements like: discipline, dismissal, payment of wages, overtime, time off entitlements, demotion, transfer, etc. Dispute can be resolved in labor courts and tribunals.

3. Disputes involving unfair labor practices:

This type of dispute occurs when Trade union members face discrimination. Unfair labor practices include: interference, restraint or coercion of employees, refusal to collective bargaining, recruitment of workmen during legal strikes, failure to implement awards, acts of violence, etc.

Prevention of Industrial Disputes:

The consequences of an Industrial dispute will be harmful to the owners of industries, workers, economy and the nation as a whole, which results in loss of productivity, profits, market share and even closure of the plant. Hence, Industrial disputes need to be averted by all means.

Prevention of Industrial disputes is a pro-active approach in which an organization undertakes various actions through which the occurrence of Industrial disputes is prevented. Like the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”.


a. Joint Management Councils: Just to make a start in labour participation in management, the govt: suggested in its Industrial Resolution 1956 to set up joint management councils. It consists of equal numbers of workers and employers (minimum 6 & maximum 12) decisions of the JMC should be unanimous and should be implemented without any delay. JMC members should be given proper training. JMC should look after 3 main areas:-

1. information sharing2. consultative3. administrative

Representation of workers to the JMCs should be based on the nomination by the representation.

Objectives

Satisfy the psychological needs of workers Improve the welfare measures Increase workers efficiency Improve the relation and association between workers, managers and promoters.

JMC deals with matters like:-

Employee welfare Apprenticeship scheme

b. Works Committee: Every industrial undertaking employing 100 or more workers is under an obligation to set up a works committee consisting equal number of


representatives of employer and employees. The main purpose of such committees is to promote industrial relations. According to Indian Labour Conference work committees are concerned with:-

Administration of welfare & fine funds. Educational and recreational activities. Safety and accident prevention Occupational diseases and protective equipment. Conditions of work such as ventilation, lightening, temperature & sanitation including

latrines and urinals. Amenities such as drinking water canteen, dining rooms, medical & health services.

The following items are excluded from the preview of the work committees.

Wages and allowances Profit sharing and bonus Programs of planning and development Retirement benefits PF and gratuity Housing and transport schemes Incentive schemes Retirement and layoff

c. Code of Industrial discipline: The code of Industrial discipline defines duties and responsibilities of employers and workers. The objectives of the code are:

To secure settlement of disputes by negotiation, conciliation and voluntary arbitration. To eliminate all forms of coercion, intimidation and violence. To maintain discipline in the industry. To avoid work stoppage. To promote constructive co-operation between the parties concerned at all levels.

Procedures for settling labor dispute:

Collective Bargaining, Negotiation, Conciliation and Mediation, Arbitration and Adjudication are well known methods for settlement of industrial disputes.

Collective Bargaining:-

Collective Bargaining is a technique by which dispute as to conditions of employment, are resolved amicably, by agreement, rather than by coercion. The dispute is settled peacefully and voluntarily, although reluctantly, between labour and management in the context of present day egalitarian society, with its fast changing social norms, a concept like ‘collective bargaining’ is not a capable of a precise definition. The content and Scope collective bargaining also varies from country to country. Broadly Speaking Collective bargaining is a process of bargaining between employers and workers, by which they


settle their disputes relating to employment or non-employment, terms of employment or conditions of the labour of the workman, among themselves, on the strength of the sanctions available to each side. Occasionally, such bargaining results in an amicable settlement arrived at voluntarily and peacefully, between the parties. But quite often, the workers and employers have to apply sanctions by resorting to weapons of strike and lockouts, to pressurize one another, which makes both the sides aware of the strength of one another and that finally forces each of them to arrive at a settlement in mutual interest. It is thus the respective strength of the parties which determine the issue, rather than the wordy duals which are largely put on for show, as an element of strength in one party is by the same token, an element of weakness in another.

The final outcome of bargaining may also depend upon the art, skill and dexterity of displaying the strength by the representatives of one party to the other.

Conciliation & Mediation:

Through conciliation and mediation a third party provides assistance with a view to help the parties to reach an agreement. The conciliator brings the rival parties together discuss with them their differences and assist them in finding out solution to their problems. Mediator on the other hand is more actively involved while assisting the parties to find an amicable settlement. Sometimes he submits his own proposals for settlement of their disputes.

Arbitration:

The resort to arbitration procedure may be compulsory or arbitrary. Compulsory arbitration is the submission of disputes to arbitration without consent or agreement of the parties involved in the dispute and the award given by the arbitrator being binding on the parties to the dispute. On the other hand in case of voluntary arbitration, the dispute can be referred for arbitration only if the parties agree to the same. Section 10 A of the Act, however, provides only for voluntary reference of dispute to arbitration. This system, however, has not been widely practiced so far. One of the main reasons for not gaining popularly of this procedure is lack of arbitrators who are able to command respect and confidence of the parties to the dispute. Inter Union rivalry also sometimes makes it difficult in arriving at an agreement on settlement of an arbitrator who is acceptable to all the trade unions in the industry.

Adjudication:

If despite efforts of the conciliation officer , no settlement is arrived at between employer and the workman, The Industrial Dispute a provides for a three tier system of adjudication viz. Labour Courts , Industrial Tribunals and National Tribunals under section, 7 , 7A and under section 7B respectively. Labour Courts have been empowered to decide disputes relating to matters specified in the Second Schedule. These matters are concerned with the rights of workers, such as propriety of legality of an order passed by an employer under the standing orders, application and interpretation of standing orders, discharge or dismissal of workman including reinstatement of grant of relief to workman wrongfully discharged or dismissed, withdrawal of any customary concession or privilege and illegality or otherwise of a strike or lockout.


The industrial tribunal is empowered to adjudicate on matters specified in both the Second and Third schedule i.e. both rights and interest disputes. The jurisdiction of the Industrial Tribunal is wider that the labour courts.

UNIT 5 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

CONCEPT

Collective bargaining is a source of solving the problems of employees in the work situation collectively. It provides a good climate for discussing the problems of workers with their employers. The employees put their demands before the employers and the employers also give certain concession to them. Thus it ensures that the management cannot take unilateral decision concerning the work ignoring the workers. It also helps the workers to achieve responsible wages, working conditions, working hours, fringe benefits etc. It provides them a collective strength to bargain with employer. It also provides the employers some control over the employees.

The process of collective bargaining is bipartite in nature, i.e. the negotiations are between the employers and employees without a third party’s intervention. Thus collective bargaining serves to bridge the emotional and physiological gulf between the workers and employers though direct discussions.

The term collective bargaining is made up of two words, ‘collective’ – which means a ‘group action’ through representation and ‘bargaining’, means ‘negotiating’, which involves proposals and counter-proposals, offers and counter-offers. Thus it means collective negotiations between the employer and the employee, relating to their work situations. The success of these negotiations depends upon mutual understanding and give and take principles between the employers and employees.

Collective bargaining generally includes negotiations between the two parties (employees’ representatives and employer’s representatives). Collective bargaining consists of negotiations between an employer and a group of employees that determine the conditions of employment. Often employees are represented in the bargaining by a union or other labor organization. The result of collective bargaining procedure is called the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Collective agreements may be in the form of procedural agreements or substantive agreements. Procedural agreements deal with the relationship between workers and management and the procedures to be adopted for resolving individual or group disputes.

This will normally include procedures in respect of individual grievances, disputes and discipline. Frequently, procedural agreements are put into the company rule book which provides information on the overall terms and conditions of employment and codes of behavior. A substantive agreement deals with specific issues, such as basic pay, overtime premiums, bonus arrangements, holiday entitlements, hours of work, etc. In many companies, agreements


have a fixed time scale and a collective bargaining process will review the procedural agreement when negotiations take place on pay and conditions of employment.

Salient Features of collective bargaining

It is a collective process in which representatives of employers and employees participate mutually.

It is a flexible and dynamic process wherein no party adopts a rigid attitude.

It is a bipartite process whereas the representatives of workers and management get an opportunity for clear and face to face negotiation.

It is a continuous process which can establish regular and stable relationship between worker’s organization and management.

It is a practical way to establish an industrial democracy.

It is a good method of promoting industrial jurisprudence.

It is good form of interdisciplinary system (i.e. a function embodying economic psychological, administrative, ethical and other aspects.)

It is a process that includes efforts from preliminary preparations to the presentation of conflicting view points, collection of necessary facts, understanding of view points, taking correct decisions etc.

It is a group process, wherein one group, representing the employers, and the other, representing the employees, sit together to negotiate terms of employment.

Negotiations form an important aspect of the process of collective bargaining i.e., there is considerable scope for discussion, compromise or mutual give and take in collective bargaining.

Collective bargaining is a formalized process by which employers and independent trade unions negotiate terms and conditions of employment and the ways in which certain employment-related issues are to be regulated at national, organizational and workplace levels.

Collective bargaining is a process in the sense that it consists of a number of steps. It begins with the presentation of the charter of demands and ends with reaching an agreement, which would serve as the basic law governing labor management relations over a period of time in an enterprise. Moreover, it is flexible process and not fixed or static. Mutual trust and understanding serve as the by products of harmonious relations between the two parties.

It a bipartite process. This means there are always two parties involved in the process


of collective bargaining. The negotiations generally take place between the employees and the management. It is a form of participation.

Collective bargaining is a complementary process i.e. each party needs something that the other party has; labor can increase productivity and management can pay better for their efforts.

Collective bargaining tends to improve the relations between workers and the union on the one hand and the employer on the other.

Collective Bargaining is continuous process. It enables industrial democracy to be effective. It uses cooperation and consensus for settling disputes rather than conflict and confrontation.

Collective bargaining takes into account day to day changes, policies, potentialities, capacities and interests.

It is a political activity frequently undertaken by professional negotiators.

Principles of Collective Bargaining

The success of collective bargaining is based on certain principles. These principles are to be followed by the employers and unions. Prof. Arnold. F. Campo has laid down certain principles for union and management, for management and for union.

For both union and management

1. Collective bargaining process should give due consideration to hear the problems on both sides. This will develop mutual understanding of a problem which is more important for arriving at the solutions.

2. Both the management and union should analyze the alternatives to arrive at the best solution.

3. There must be mutual respect on both the parties. The management should respect the unions and the unions should recognize the importance of management.

4. Both the union and management must have good faith and confidence in discussion and arriving at a solution.

5. Collective bargaining required effective leadership on both sides, on the union side and management side to moderate discussions and create confidence.


6. In collective bargaining both the union and management should observe the laws and regulations in practice in arriving at a solution.

7. In all negotiations, the labour should be given due consideration – in wage fixation, in working conditions, bonus etc.

For management

1. Management should think of realistic principles and policies for labour regulations.

2. The recognitions of a trade union to represent the problems is more essential. If there are more than one union, the management can recognize on which is having the support of majority of workers.

3. Management should follow a policy of goodwill, and cooperation in collective bargaining rather than an indifferent attitude towards the union.

4. Managements need not wait for trade union to represent their grievances for settlement. Management can voluntarily take measures to settle the grievances.

5. Managements should give due consideration to social and economic conditions of workers in collective bargaining.

For unions

1. Unions should avoid undemocratic practices.

2. Unions have to recognize their duties to the management also before emphasizing their demands.

3. Unions have to consider the benefits to all workers rather than a section of workers.

4. Strike lock-outs should be resorted to, only as a last measure. As far as possible they have to be avoided by compromise and discussion.

TYPES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Distributive bargaining:

It involves haggling over the distribution of surplus. Under it, the economic issues like wages, salaries and bonus are discussed. In distributive bargaining, one party’s gain is another party’s loss. This is most commonly explained in terms of a pie. Disputants can work together to make the pie bigger, so there is enough for both of them to have as much as they want, or they can focus on cutting the pie up, trying to get as much as they can for themselves. In general, distributive bargaining tends to be more competitive. This type of bargaining is also known as conjunctive bargaining.


Integrative bargaining:

This involves negotiation of an issue on which both the parties may gain, or at least neither party loses. For example, representatives of employer and employee sides may bargain over the better training program or a better job evaluation method. Here, both the parties are trying to make more of something. In general, it tends to be more cooperative than distributive bargaining. This type of bargaining is also known as cooperative bargaining.

Attitudinal restructuring:

This involves shaping and reshaping some attitudes like trust or distrust, friendliness or hostility between labor and management. When there is a backlog of bitterness between both the parties, attitudinal restructuring is required to maintain smooth and harmonious industrial relations. It develops a bargaining environment and creates trust and cooperation among the parties.

Intra-organizational bargaining:

It generally aims at resolving internal conflicts. This is a type of maneuvering to achieve consensus with the workers and management. Even within the union, there may be differences between groups. For example, skilled workers may feel that they are neglected or women workers may feel that their interests are not looked after properly. Within the management also, there may be differences. Trade unions maneuver to achieve consensus among the conflicting groups.

PLUS

Forms of Collective Bargaining

The forms of collective bargaining differ from country to country and time to time in India. Collective bargaining takes the following forms:

1. Settlements under industrial disputes act: According to this, negotiations are carried out by officers according to the Industrial Disputes Act.

2. Settlements by parties: In this case settlements are arrived at by parties themselves without the interference of a third party.

3. Consent awards: Here the agreements are negotiated by the parties on a voluntary basis when disputes are subjudiced. Later these are submitted to the labour courts.

4. Direct negotiation: In this agreements are arrived at by both the parties after direct negation. The enforcement of these agreements depends upon the goodwill and cooperation of the parties.


Process of Collective Bargaining

The process of collective bargaining consists of two stages, (i) the negotiation state, and (ii) the contract administration.

Negotiation Stage

At the negotiation stage certain proposals are put forward for mutual agreement after careful consideration. The negotiation stage consists of three steps.

Preparation for negotiation

Negotiation procedure

Follow up action

Preparation for negotiation

First the union will submit their fresh contract to the management before the expiry of existing contract (usually 30 to 60 days before the expiry). Both the management and unions will take considerable time to the preparation and negotiation.

They collect the required data relating to large number of issues such as wage, salary, seniority, overtime allowance, the cost of living, the policies of trade unions and management, nature of agreement in other companies etc.

The company will collect such information its internal sources – such as balance sheet, contract agreements, market research reports, Govt. reports etc. The trade union also collects such data from their own central organization, research staff from various Department etc.

The personal department prepares a personal, which includes –

Specific proposals of the company including the objectives of negotiation.

Estimating the cost of implementing the proposals.

Classifying the demands as demands acceptable before negotiation, demands acceptable after negotiation, demands which cannot be accepted. Such proposals are based on company’s commitment to shareholders, consumers, workers and public.

Negotiation technique or procedure

In this step, a negotiation committee is to be formed by both the parties. From the management side the representative include the chief executives. The unions is represented by the leaders and centrals leaders. The committee consists of three to six members.


The demands are classified as demands which need bargaining and demands which may be rejected. During negotiations, normally the easier demands are taken up first. Both parties should have a “bargaining cushion”, and make counter proposals. For example, a demand for wage increase by the union may be accompanied by a counter proposal for increase in production by the management. Such negotiations go on till the “point of no return” is being reached. A rigid or irrevocable stance should always be avoided.

Follow-up action

At this stage, the agreement is printed and circulated among all the employees. The supervisors will be enlightened about the agreements for their effective implementation.

Contract Administration

Agreement will be useful if they are executed properly. As observed by Profs. Illiamson and Harries, “if anything is more important to industrial relations than the contract itself, it is the administration of the contract”.

Prof. Campo has laid down the following general principles for administering the contact effectively;

Cooperation between both the parties is essential. Both the parties should have a tolerant attitude towards each other and have a spirit of accommodation and goodwill.

Proper procedure should be adopted for the redressal of grievances by providing opportunity to exchange views.

When a conference over the redressal of grievance reaches an impasse, the grievance should be referred to arbitration.

Both the parties should honor the commitment

PLUS

The collective bargaining process comprises of five core steps:

1. Prepare: This phase involves composition of a negotiation team. The negotiation team should consist of representatives of both the parties with adequate knowledge and skills for negotiation. In this phase both the employer’s representatives and the union examine their own situation in order to develop the issues that they believe will be most important. The first thing to be done is to determine whether there is actually any reason to negotiate at all. A correct understanding of the main issues to be covered and intimate knowledge of operations, working conditions, production norms and other relevant conditions is required.


2. Discuss: Here, the parties decide the ground rules that will guide the negotiations. A process well begun is half done and this is no less true in case of collective bargaining. An environment of mutual trust and understanding is also created so that the collective bargaining agreement would be reached.

3. Propose: This phase involves the initial opening statements and the possible options that exist to resolve them. In a word, this phase could be described as ‘brainstorming’. The exchange of messages takes place and opinion of both the parties is sought.

4. Bargain: negotiations are easy if a problem solving attitude is adopted. This stage comprises the time when ‘what ifs’ and ‘supposals’ are set forth and the drafting of agreements take place.

5. Settlement: Once the parties are through with the bargaining process, a consensual agreement is reached upon wherein both the parties agree to a common decision regarding the problem or the issue. This stage is described as consisting of effective joint implementation of the agreement through shared visions, strategic planning and negotiated change.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN NEPAL

Provisions of the labour lawsThe Labour Act 1992 made a number of provisions in order to systematize the procedure of collective bargaining. As per this act, authentic trade unions can directly present the charter of demands or that can be done by the signature of the majority of the workers working in the enterprise. Authentic trade unions, that is, the collective bargaining agents in accordance with our Trade Union Act 1992, are to be elected at an interval of every two years by the majority of the workers in an enterprise. There may be 4 unions, to the maximum, at a time in an enterprise. Twenty five percent of the total workers can register enterprise level union.

When CBA tables the charter of demands, the management should invite them for talks. The resultant negotiation or agreement will be valid for two years. But if,


within 21 days, table-talks could not be arranged or the talks failed to reach an agreement, the case should go to the labour office. Even when the case is in the labour office, the two partners--labour and management—can try a negotiated solution which the government should recognize unconditionally. On the other hand, when the case enters labour office and the tripartite talks fail to yield any results, workers are free to give an ultimatum of strike through a secret ballot decision of 60 percent of the workers. During lockout and strike also bipartite negotiations are possible. The labour administration of the government is, by law, obliged to recognize and accept the agreement unconditionally.

PracticesModern industrial activities had started in Nepal just after the great depression of 1929. Prior to the world war second, a number of industries had come into existence. But collective bargaining practices started only from 1947, when workers started to unionize themselves and, in the effort, the historical first strike appeared in our industrial scenario. The laws to regulate labour and trade union aspects were non-existent at that time. Up to 1959, collective bargaining practices were not within the legal framework and were conducted under the pressure of practical difficulties. In 1959, The Factory and Factory Workers Act came into existence and efforts to develop a system were initiated. However, the democratic multiparty system was put to an end in 1960 and, with the ban on political parties; even the trade unions were banned. The following three decades saw scattered union activities carried out underground. In 1989, GEFONT was established as the national confederation of trade unions with its underground operation. In 1990, workers took part in the democracy movement against autocratic and dictatorial system. Following the restoration of democracy, the labour sector got the Labour Act 1992 and the Trade Union Act 1992. These labour laws started to systematize collective bargaining and establish an environment where a sound industrial relation could exist in the country.

The present collective bargaining practices are strictly limited to the enterprise level. Industry level bargaining systems are not developed within our legal framework. Therefore, in collective bargaining procedures, enterprise level unions do have the role, whereas their national federations do not have it.

Secondly, the formal sector is very small in our country. A vast majority of workers is in informal sectors, mainly in the agricultural sector. The workforce engaged in formal sectors is between 7 and 10 percent of the total workforce. Only 21 percent of the workforce is in wage employment and the rest 79 percent is self-employed. The present coverage of the labour laws is very limited in extent. Hence, the collective bargaining procedures and practices also cover a small portion of the workforce making it common to hold individual bargaining outside legal scrutiny.

Thirdly, with the entrenchment of globalization and new liberalisation policies, a process of the informalisation of the formal sector is taking place in Nepal. Sub-contraction of work by big enterprises outside their boundary is being evident. Similarly the sub-contracting of labour has increased. So is the scenario of the number of home-based workers. The masses are being thrown outside the social security network. This tendency is clearly visible in the carpet industry. Therefore, the establishment of the industry level bargaining system involving the concerned


national federations has become an urgent need today.

UNIT 6 WORKERS PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT

CONCEPT

Workers’ participation in management is an essential ingredient of Industrial democracy. The concept of workers’ participation in management is based on Human Relations approach to Management which brought about a new set of values to labour and management. Traditionally the concept of Workers’ Participation in Management (WPM) refers to participation of non-managerial employees in the decision-making process of the organization. Workers’ participation is also known as ‘labour participation’ or ‘employee participation’ in management. In Germany it is known as co-determination while in Yugoslavia it is known as self-management. The International Labour Organization has been encouraging member nations to promote the scheme of Workers’ Participation in Management.

Workers’ participation in management implies mental and emotional involvement of workers in the management of Enterprise. It is considered as a mechanism where workers have a say in the decision-making.

Definition:

According to Keith Davis, Participation refers to the mental and emotional involvement of a person in a group situation which encourages him to contribute to group goals and share the responsibility of achievement.

According to Walpole, Participation in Management gives the worker a sense of importance, pride and accomplishment; it gives him the freedom of opportunity for self-expression; a feeling of belongingness with the place of work and a sense of workmanship and creativity.

The concept of workers’ participation in management encompasses the following:

It provides scope for employees in decision-making of the organization. The participation may be at the shop level, departmental level or at the top level. The participation includes the willingness to share the responsibility of the organization

by the workers.

Objectives of Workers Participation in Management

To establish Industrial Democracy.

To build the most dynamic Human Resources.

To satisfy the workers’ social and esteem needs.


To strengthen labour-management co-operation and thus maintain Industrial peace and harmony.

To promote increased productivity for the advantage of the organization, workers and the society at large.

Its psychological objective is to secure full recognition of the workers.

Importance of Workers Participation in Management

Unique motivational power and a great psychological value. Peace and harmony between workers and management. Workers get to see how their actions would contribute to the overall growth of the

company. They tend to view the decisions as `their own’ and are more enthusiastic in their

implementation. Participation makes them more responsible. They become more willing to take initiative and come out with cost-saving suggestions

and growth-oriented ideas.

FORMS OF PARTICIPATION

There can be 5 levels of Management Participation or WPM:

Information participation: It ensures that employees are able to receive information and express their views pertaining to the matter of general economic importance.

Consultative importance: Here workers are consulted on the matters of employee welfare such as work, safety and health. However, final decision always rests with the top-level management, as employees’ views are only advisory in nature.

Associative participation: It is an extension of consultative participation as management here is under the moral obligation to accept and implement the unanimous decisions of the employees. Under this method the managers and workers jointly take decisions.

Administrative participation: It ensures greater share of workers’ participation in discharge of managerial functions. Here, decisions already taken by the management come to employees, preferably with alternatives for administration and employees have to select the best from those for implementation.

Decisive participation: Highest level of participation where decisions are jointly taken on the matters relating to production, welfare etc.

WORKERS PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT IN CASE OF NEPAL

Workers' participation in managementTwo aspects of an enterprise are ownership and control. Control refers to management. Ownership and control used to be inseparable in early days. Today, they have come into two distinct areas. Shareholders of a company these days are just the owners and do not exercise or have no control over the processes of


management or decisions of the company. A distinct class has evolved which controls and manages, although the managers concentrate themselves on the interest of the ownership. In these circumstances, the question is whether the labourers can become owners or not, whether they should participate in management and control or decision making processes.

There is a concept of the 'employee stock ownership plan' propounded by Louis Kelso who is of the opinion that workers are natural shareholders, not natural managers. This plan of collective ownership of workers' trust by purchasing the shares of the enterprise through loans from banks and financial institutions has gained popularity in USA. Under this ESOP, workers do not have any role in management or in the system of control. On the contrary successful workers' cooperatives in many countries have also proved that workers can play active role in management as well as ownership.

The thought that participation of workers in management is inevitable in the process of decision making for the smooth functioning of industrial democracy has gained much strength because of the realization that labour is not only the factor of production but also a sensitive human element. In our context, we feel that the demand for participation in management should be raised in order to bring about transparency in managerial activities, and to strengthen the psychology of labourers as labour-investors of an equal status. Participation will produce positive results in connection with productivity and distribution of bonus. To sum up, the issue of workers' participation in management has to be raised in resemblance to the promotion of industrial democracy.

UNIT 7 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION-ILO AND NEPAL

INTRODUCTION TO ILO

ORIGIN

The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the

belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.

The Constitution was drafted between January and April, 1919, by the Labour Commission set up by the

Peace Conference, which first met in Paris and then in Versailles. The Commission, chaired by Samuel

Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labour (AFL) in the United States, was composed of

representatives from nine countries: Belgium, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, the

United Kingdom and the United States. It resulted in a tripartite organization, the only one of its kind

bringing together representatives of governments, employers and workers in its executive bodies.

The Constitution contained ideas tested within the International Association for Labour Legislation,

founded in Basel in 1901. Advocacy for an international organization dealing with labour issues began in


the nineteenth century, led by two industrialists, Robert Owen (1771-1853) of Wales and Daniel Legrand

(1783-1859) of France.

The driving forces for ILO's creation arose from security, humanitarian, political and economic

considerations. Summarizing them, the ILO Constitution's Preamble says the High Contracting Parties

were 'moved by sentiments of justice and humanity as well as by the desire to secure the permanent

peace of the world...'

There was keen appreciation of the importance of social justice in securing peace, against a background

of exploitation of workers in the industrializing nations of that time. There was also increasing

understanding of the world's economic interdependence and the need for cooperation to obtain

similarity of working conditions in countries competing for markets. Reflecting these ideas, the Preamble

states:

1. Whereas universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice;

2. And whereas conditions of labour exist involving such injustice hardship and privation to large numbers of people as to produce unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperilled; and an improvement of those conditions is urgently required;

3. Whereas also the failure of any nation to adopt humane conditions of labour is an obstacle in the way of other nations which desire to improve the conditions in their own countries.

The areas of improvement listed in the Preamble remain relevant today, for example:

1. Regulation of the hours of work including the establishment of a maximum working day and week;

2. Regulation of labour supply, prevention of unemployment and provision of an adequate living wage;

3. Protection of the worker against sickness, disease and injury arising out of his employment;

4. Protection of children, young persons and women;

5. Provision for old age and injury, protection of the interests of workers when employed in countries other than their own;

6. Recognition of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value;

7. Recognition of the principle of freedom of association;

8. Organization of vocational and technical education, and other measures.

OBJECTIVES OF ILO


The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity. Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent work and the economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress. Its tripartite structure provides a unique platform for promoting decent work for all women and men. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

The ILO has four strategic objectives

Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work

Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income

Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all

Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue

In support of its goals, the ILO offers unmatched expertise and knowledge about the world of work, acquired over more than 90 years of responding to the needs of people everywhere for decent work, livelihoods and dignity. It serves its tripartite constituents - and society as a whole - in a variety of ways, including:

Formulation of international policies and programs to promote basic human rights, improve working and living conditions, and enhance employment opportunities

Creation of international labour standards backed by a unique system to supervise their application

An extensive program of international technical cooperation formulated and implemented in an active partnership with constituents, to help countries put these policies into practice in an effective manner

Training, education and research activities to help advance all of these efforts

STRUCTURE OF ILO

The structure of the ILO and its underlying documents

The distinctive feature of the ILO - tripartism, its tripartite structure, within which negotiations between governments, workers and entrepreneurs. Delegates of these three groups are represented, and confer on an equal footing at all levels of the organization.

The supreme body of the ILO is the International Labor Conference, which adopted all the ILO. Delegates of the International Conference are the two representatives from the government and one, respectively, from the most representative organizations of workers and employers each State Party. The ILO Governing Body, are also organized on a tripartite basis, is the executive body of the ILO. International Labor Office serves as the secretariat of the ILO. ILO adopts Convention and Recommendation on labor


issues. In addition to conventions and recommendations were adopted three declarations: The Philadelphia Declaration of 1944 on the ILO's goals and objectives of the ILO (now included in the ILO Constitution), the 1977 ILO Declaration on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, as well as the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Rights and Principles at Work. Convention subject to ratification by participating countries and an international treaty, binding for execution in the event of ratification. The recommendations are not legally binding acts. Even if the State has not ratified a particular convention, it is bound by virtue of membership in the ILO and its adherence to the ordinance on the four fundamental principles at work enshrined in the ILO Declaration of 1998. These principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining, prohibition of discrimination in employment, the eradication of forced labor, and prohibition of child labor. These four principles are devoted to the eight ILO Conventions (respectively - Convention number 87 and 98, 100 and 111, 29 and 105, 138 and 182) are called fundamental. The said Convention, ratified by an overwhelming majority of the world and for their enforcement of ILO monitors especially closely.

Text of ILO conventions and recommendations in English, Russian, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Portuguese, Arabic, collected in a database of international labor standards of the ILO.

The ILO cannot be forced to perform even ratified Conventions. Nevertheless, there are controls over the implementation of ILO Conventions and Recommendations, the main essence of which is to study the circumstances of the alleged violations of labor rights and to give them international exposure in the case of ignoring the long-term observations of the ILO State party. This control is exercised by the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, the Committee of the Governing Council on Freedom of Association and the Conference Committee on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations.

In exceptional cases, in accordance with Article 33 of the ILO, the International Labor Conference may encourage their members to implement the impact on the state, especially maliciously violating international labor standards. In practice, this was done only once - in 2001 against Myanmar for decades been subjected to krititke for the use of forced labor and refused to cooperate on this issue with the ILO. As a result, several states have applied to economic sanctions against Myanmar, and she was forced to make some steps towards the ILO.

ROLE OF ILO IN NEPALESE LABOR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

One of the most significant contributions of the ILO Office in Nepal from the beginning was in the sphere of employment generation through labour-based activities

The programme portfolios have expanded considerably since 1966, particularly after the establishment of the tripartite structure in the country during the 1990s.

Since then the ILO Office in Nepal has made considerable efforts in promoting labour standards and capacity building of its social partners

Promotion of decent and productive employment opportunities for Nepalese men and women is always

the primary goal of ILO’s country programme for Nepal.


Child labour

Employment promotion

Equality and discrimination

Labour market governance and working conditions

Labour migration

Informal economy

International Labour Standards

Safety and health at work

Skills and employability

Social security

Workers’ and Employers’ organizations

NEPAL’S RATIFICATION ON THE CONVENTIONS OF ILO

The Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO-ACTRAV), in cooperation with the International Trade Union

Confederation-Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP) and the trade union organizations of Nepal, is running a campaign

for the ratification and application of ILO Conventions Nos.87 and 98 in a number of countries in the

Asia-Pacific region.

The set of conclusions and recommendations adopted at the national conference by around 90 participants from the major national trade union centers demanding immediate action on the ratification of ILO Convention 87 was presented to the Prime Minister, Speaker of the Parliament and relevant authorities.

ILO/ ACTRAV/ITUC AP/Trade Unions in Nepal National Trade Union Conference on Ratification and Implementation of ILO Core Labour Standards 15-16 August 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Accepting the right to organize is a fundamental right of workers, the government of Nepal has been

declaring its intention to ratify ILO Convention 87 for the past 10 years. However, for one reason or the

other, there has been a delay in the process of ratification.

Several discussions within the social partners and tripartite discussions have also been held to promote

the principles contained in ILO Convention 87 and subsequent awareness raising campaigns to promote

the ratification of C87.


While appreciating that 7 out of the 8 core labour standards have been ratified, major trade union

confederations in Nepal have been pressing for the ratification of Convention 87 for several years. The

unions have also been conducting awareness-raising campaigns to generate support for the ratification

of C87.

The Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the main employers’ organization in the

country has also expressed its support for the ratification of the Convention.

Considering the positive steps and positions taken by the ILO tripartite partners, there is no serious

obstacle to the ratification of the Convention.

However, there remain a few misconceptions within the top bureaucracy and policy makers creating

delays in the ratification process. Based on the discussions held, main misconceptions are the following:

Ratification of the C.87 will adversely affect police and armed force and we need to permit right of unionize to them

As. C.98 is already ratified; there is no need to ratify c. 87.

Rights granted by. C 87 is being exercised by the workers in practice. So, there is no need to ratify it

High level officials may also ask for right to organize is a fear in government bureaucracy

Government cannot restrict in the right to strike in the government service and even in the essential service

In addition, the uncertainty in the overall political situation in the country adds to the serious delay in

the ratification process.

Trade unions deplore the delay in ratification of C87 and believe that the following reasons reinforce the

need to ratify C87:

1. Nepal has already ratified ILO convention C98. This convention guarantees the workers' rights to

organize and collective bargaining. Nepal has also ratified Covenant 1966 on Civil and Political Rights.

Nepal has also ratified Covenant 1966 on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Article 22 of Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights, and Article 8 on Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights guarantee all

workers the rights to form and trade unions. Such guarantee is also affirmed by Article 23 of Universal

Declaration on Human Rights, to which Nepal is a party.

2. Right to organize is important for implementation of international standard on Decent Work. ILO's

eight conventions are deemed as basics for decent work. These eight conventions include, C29 and C105


relating to Bonded Labour, C138 and C182 relating to abolition of child labour, C100 and C111 relating to

equality and abolition of discrimination, and C87 and C98 on rights to organize. Nepal has ratified all but

C87. Its ratification will complete Nepal's commitment to Decent Work.

3. Reinstated Parliament of Nepal has adopted the Resolution on Public Interest relating to rights to

organize on 11 May 2006 where ratification of C87 is a prerequisite to implement that resolution.

4. C87 leaves the matter of rights to organize among army and police to the Domestic laws of the

countries concerned. Hence, ratification of C87 is not necessarily binding to grant organization rights to

the army and police; rather it will be as per the law of the country concerned. Rights to organize among

civil servants has already been recognized and accepted by Civil Servant Act of Nepal. Thus C87 just

reinforces the provision of prevailing Act among the civil servants.

5. All other workers are guaranteed rights to organize by the existing Act relating to trade unions and

the subsequent by-laws. In relation to the workers engaged in Essential Services, the draft Labour Law

which is under discussion with the stakeholders has already incorporated the provision in line with C87

and the principle lay down by the CFA of ILO. Hence, ratification of C87 has no implication to general

workers' right to organize.

6. The employers have rights to organize under the Registration of Establishment Act 2034, and there is

no bar to form the organization at any level.

7. Domestic constitutional and legal provisions guaranteeing the rights to organize can be vulnerable to

the changes in the government and political system. An autocratic government can squash the domestic

provisions and squeeze the rights to organize. Ratification of C87 minimizes this vulnerability binding the

countries to honor international commitments.

8. In Nepal, the law of land (the Constitution, Acts, by-laws) already provides rights to organize to major

sectors of workers. Indeed, most of the requirements of C87 are already met. Thus its ratification will

not add to the burden of the State. Rather, ratification of C87 will reconfirm the commitment to

democratic polity and strengthen the domestic provisions that in the past have granted trade union

rights to the workers and civil servants.

After in-depth discussions and deliberations at the National Trade Union Conference on Ratification and

Implementation of ILO Core Labour Standards in Nepal, trade union participants remain committed to


work jointly and collectively to address the concerns raised by the Government and ratification

campaign should be intensified.

Noting that the process has taken 10 years, trade unions demand that Government take immediate

steps to ratify ILO Convention 87.

Further, the following courses of action will be undertaken, jointly and collectively:

Efforts will be carried out to clarify all misconception in the policy makers and among the stake holders.

Efforts need to be accelerated to improve and ensure compliance with the Core Conventions, both under the law and in practice;

To speed up the resolving the labour dispute, we will jointly campaign to establish the National Labour Commission based on decision taken by Central Labour Advisory Committee (CLAC) in 2007.

Workers’ in the informal economy including self employed person need to be integrated in the trade union structure and organizing campaigns;

Action on the labour market reform package in Nepal should be stepped up.

The collective bargaining framework, including sectoral bargaining, in Nepal needs to improved;

Trade union competencies need to be enhanced to engage meaningfully in collective bargaining.

Capacity building, especially intended for trade unions, to enhance labour administration, including credible labour inspection systems should be carried out.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY

SAMRAKT DHAKAL

KANTIPUR CITY COLLEGE

BBA 6TH SEMESTER

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http://www.facebook.com/samraktnpdh

9841079561

http://www.facebook.com/samraktnpdh

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