By IANS
Kathmandu : Dabur Nepal, Dabur India’s wholly owned subsidiary, resumed production at its beleaguered factory in southern Nepal after four days’ closure, following a temporary truce between the management and striking workers.
A total of 65 seasonal workers who, supported by the trade union of the Maoist guerrillas, had shut down Dabur Nepal’s factory in Birgunj town from Friday, and Tuesday night heeded the authorities’ call to return to work first and then start negotiations.
However, the striking workers also laid down a counter-condition. They warned the company it had 96 hours within which to resolve the dispute or face another protest.
Dabur officials said they were hopeful the negotiations would be concluded successfully before the deadline.
Supported by the powerful Maoist Akhil Nepal Trade Union Federation (Revolutionary), 65 loaders, who are employed seasonally to load and unload goods, began a sit-in in front of the factory and forced its closure demanding permanent employment and higher wages.
The dissenting workers gave the management a notice July 31 that they would go on strike and went on the warpath from Aug 10. Dabur Nepal officials said the brief notice was against Nepal’s labour law and the strike was illegal.
According to the labour act, strikers have to give the management at least 66 days’ notice, which includes holding negotiations in the presence of a labour official and getting 60 percent of the employees to agree to strike.
There are about 800 workers currently employed in the factory who are not supporting the strike.
After tripartite talks that also involved officials of Birgunj Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dabur Nepal had a tacit victory when the strikers finally heeded its call to resume work in order to discuss the demands.
Last year, Dabur Nepal, one of Nepal’s largest exporters, had reported an annual turnover of Nepali Rs.3.5 billion (over $54 million) despite the political turmoil and frequent shutdowns.