E-Malt.com News article: Nepal: Gorkha Brewery’ workers union kept in custody the factory’s managing team

The workers union at Gorkha Brewery Private Limited has purposely looked up on November 15 its managing team asking them to be recognized as the official trade union of the factory, Nepalnews said November 15. The workers are said to closely share the Maoists values and principles.

The managers have been held in captivity within the factory premises in Nawalparasi since 3 p.m. of November 15 till November 16. "They have not been allowed even to go to bathroom outside," said a senior official of the company.

The incident occurred three days after the Maoist-affiliated workers and the management of the company had reached an agreement whereby the management had raised salaries and other benefits of the workers. The workers then had committed not to resort to any agitation for next two years.

"We have fulfilled all of our commitments in the agreement," claimed the senior official.

However, the workers have locked up the managers demanding they be recognized as official trade union. "This is not something we can fulfil. It is the labor office that designates official trade union based on their election and other procedures," said the official.

The official added that workers of the factory have been asked to leave the facility and the managers are being held captive inside. The company produces Carlsberg Beer, among others. "This is totally unacceptable behavior by them," said the official.

The incident has occurred a week after the Maoists signed a detailed peace agreement with the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) government.

The week-long crisis at the Gorkha Brewery Ltd ended after the factory management and the union leaders reached an agreement November 16 afternoon. According to the Brewery's Production Manager, Tanka Mani Kafle, the crisis ended, at least for a week, after a mutual understanding was reached to take initiative to begin discussions with the management officials in Kathmandu. Kafle said the factory would begin its normal production November 17 onwards.


17 November, 2006