Strength in numbers: achievements by the Nepali partners in 2023

Labour rights: In total over 80.000 people, of which 32% women and 16% under 35 years, were reached by services from the Nepali partners to promote labour standards.

NTUC reached 73.645 (30% women and 11% younger than 35 years) and GEFONT ensured 6.436 workers (50% women and 67% younger than 35 years) became more aware of their rights though campaigns and public outreach. Empowering young workers, GEFONT also organised 14 one day trainings for 1516 new members (657 female and 1351 under 35 years) in all 7 Nepali provinces.

Social Security: nearly 57.906 workers (46% women and 64% under 35 years) were reached by the services of the trade unions to ensure coverage of workers in the contributory Social Security Fund.

Vocational training: 72 people received vocational skill training on tailoring and embroidery, and self-employment from NTUC.

INSP!R Network
Advocacy: Over 99 policy makers were met , CSOs and trade union members showed their public support for 11 policy documents and position papers, as well as one research on the Integrated Social Protection framework. 

INSP!R Nepal and its CSOs and trade unions members contributed to two key regulations being passed:

1. New Social Security working procedures were passed to cover self-employed, informal and migrant workers.

2. Integrated Social Protection Framework: developed by the National Planning Commission, which tackles Shock Responsive Social Protection aspects, determines provincial and local level roles in social protection and ensures more harmony among the schemes and ministries involved. During the drafting, WSM partners were actively involved and beginning 2024, the Framework was endorsed by the Nepali Cabinet of Minsters.

Learning: In 2023, 471 CSOs and trade union leaders were trained to promote social protection, including through steering committee meetings.

Youth not leaders of tomorrow, but of today - GEFONT, Nepal 2023

“I have always been an activist and was part of the student union. When I joined KFC in Kathmandu, I looked to join the union, where most were very senior leaders, quite old. In the beginning this was difficult, because I felt so inexperienced but now I can say I am not only a member, but also a leader. We should not be considered the leaders of tomorrow, but already today.” 

Neel Kashi, Hotel Sector union 

Neel Kashi is a young worker and was not confident to speak in public. After his studies he joined KFC Hotel in Kathmandu. When he was in college, he was engaged in students' union work and very interested to learn about the union work in the hotel sector. He witnessed for instance a woman worker at KFC having issues with her working hours, was supported by the union, which negotiated for her. But since the union leaders were quite seniors, Neel was shy and lacked confidence. 

Neel participated in different campaigns from the union and also attended a training on labour rights and collective bargaining. He went to demonstrate in May Day Rallies and also different youth events organized by GEFONT. 

By his active participation in these different events, he started to understand the importance of unions in the workplace and and his confidence level went up. Now, he holds a leadership position in the hotel union and contributes to organising more young workers to join the union.

Children left behind by the parents... and the system? Nepal, 2022

There is little as heart-breaking as an abandoned new-born baby. Maybe it was a teenage pregnancy, or a baby born out of wedlock, the reasons behind it might remain a mystery, but it happens, also in Nepal. In the hills of Helambu, to the north east of Kathmandu, where the snowy mountains can already be felt breathing down, these babies are kept for six months in a safe shelter run by a partner of WSM, MANK, giving the change to parents to come forward. Besides a multitude of other problems however, civil servants often don’t know how to deal with the administration of such children. What do we put as name for the child, even temporarily, or exact date of birth, or as guardians? While it is thankfully rare, it also means that these children, who need to be entered into a system, are often not processed correctly in the system, causing so many problems down the line that could have been avoided.

This was only one among many issues raised by civil servants in charge of making birth or death certificates in and around Helambu in February 2023. This workshop run by the municipality with Social protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN) and Mahila Atma Nirbharta Kendra (MANK) is just one of the activities part of the EU-supported project to improve Social Protection Floors and Public Finance Management in Nepal, where WSM facilitates the involvement of civil society, ensuring more people get better coverage.

Two people from the Department of National ID, and Civil Registration (DONIDCR) from Kathmandu explained how to do online data entry and deal for instance with migrating parents, or how to correctly encode people with disabilities. While this should be part of what the Nepali government does, without some support from civil society, this would not happen and more people would be excluded from a pension they are entitled to, or a scheme that should help them cope with shocks, just because of administrative hurdles or formalities.

Reason for choosing this testimony: the issue of non take up. A big part of promoting social protection is not just lobbying for schemes or more budget for social protection, but also to ensure that people who should be receiving the existing schemes are actually getting them. In many cases, ignorance of schemes but also bureaucratic hurdles and discrimination prevent people from receiving often crucial support they are entitled to. Hence, social protection facilitators that know the schemes in place and the procedures to obtain them can assist these often very precarious populations.

First and last name : Man Bahadur Mijar
Nationality: Nepali
Location: Sindhupalchowk
Family situation: family with one daughter 

Initial problem: Due to a child marriage, when their daughter was born, these parents could not receive the child nutrition allowance that should have been provided to them as Dalits.

Accompaniment of partner SPCSN: The social protection facilitator discovered this during house visit and managed to successfully register the birth of the girl child by bringing it to the ward and obtaining the mother's birth registration.

Change achieved: The child is now receiving a monthly child nutrition allowance of NPR 532 through the social assistance program. Many such cases were referred to the ward by the facilitator.

Some results by intervention strategy...

Labour rights: In total over 160.000 people, of which 31% women and 27% under 35 years, were involved in services by the Nepali partners to promote labour standards.

GEFONT ensured over 50.000 workers (35% women and 60% younger than 35 years) became more aware of their rights though campaigns and public outreach. Empowering young workers, GEFONT also organised 14 one day trainings to 300 new members in all 7 Nepali provinces, reaching 469 workers (157 female and 397 under 35 years).

Social Security: nearly 5.800 workers (42% women and 93% under 35 years) were reached by the services of the trade unions to ensure coverage of workers in the contributory Social Security Fund.

Vocational training: 60 people received vocational skill training on tailoring and embroidery, and self-employment from NTUC.

Bruise of Qatar

 In 2010 the FIFA World Cup 2022 was awarded to Qatar. In Qatar there are more than 2 million migrant workers, many of them coming from Nepal and India. Construction workers, domestic workers, drivers, hotel staff, fishermen, … Majority of them have been working in slavery-like conditions and housing in squalid, overcrowded labour camps. Until 2020, under the Kafala system, migrant workers were subject to their sponsor’s approval to go back home or to change jobs, which led to many abuses.

For many years the international labour movement has been campaigning against these practices.

In 2017 an agreement was reached in the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The State of Qatar agreed to put in place labour reforms to better protect the migrant workers.

GEFONT Nepal, NDWM India, WSM and ACV-CSC BIE are glad to present to you ‘Injury Time – Stories of Migrant Workers in Qatar’. This video documentary, directed by Hom Karki for Katha Nepal, a Nepal based production house which has previously produced the documentary ‘Bruise of Qatar’, tells you the stories of Nepali and Indian workers, looking for a better life beyond the border. 

Qatar introduces historic reforms to its labour market

In a historic move, the State of Qatar has introduced major changes to its labour market, ending the requirement for migrant workers to obtain their employer’s permission to change jobs, while also becoming the first country in the region to adopt a non-discriminatory minimum wage. 

This new law, coupled with the removal of exit permit requirements earlier in the year, effectively dismantles the controversial “kafala” sponsorship system and marks the beginning of a new era for workers and employers in Qatar. This is an issue WSM partners have been working on for a long time, so definitely a big step forward!

Find out more here. 

Passing laws, ensuring young and women leadership in trade unions - Nepal in 2019

The next generation needs to ensure trade unions leadership, therefore General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) chose to invest in the organizing of workers below 35, since they are the future. “I’m Geeta (34) and I have two children. I have been working in an aluminium industry since the past 14 years. I started working at the age of 20. At that time, I had no idea about trade union rights, workers’ rights or women rights. In 2004 I got the opportunity to participate in a programme organized by GEFONT. I really got inspired and started raising awareness among my co-workers. In 2006, I became the GEFONT representative for my enterprise and in 2010 I became the Whole Industry Trade Union Nepal (WHIN) district committee member (blue collar workers) and secretary.”

Dilli, 38 years old, is fighting, together with Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), for better wages and better working conditions. “I have a very poor family background: I have 4 children, a disabled father and a mother with a chronic disease.  I’ve been working in an Ilam Dairy Product Cooperative since 2004, with a total salary of 2.000 NPR (15 EUR). I used to work 12 hours a day, without any leave or other welfare support. My salary was way too low to fulfil the basic needs of my family, as well as to pay medicines for my parents. I asked my management several times for an increase, but it was denied over and over again”.
That’s why he consulted WSM partner, local trade union, NTUC. An NTUC district committee carefully listened to his grievances and they involved him in different programs and activities of the Union. Finally, in 2017, with the initiation of NTUC, his salary was increased to the level of the minimum wage of 9.700 NPR (73,50 EUR). For long, the minimum wages fell far below the amount needed to satisfy the family subsistence. In 2018 the legal minimum wage was revised and increased to 13.450 NPR (101,90 EUR). However, regular monitoring of the implementation of the wages is very important. In case of Nepal, this aspect is fully absent. Workers in enterprises or sectors where union is absent or weak are still compelled to work for a wage that is insufficient to earn a living. Dili for example did again not receive the increased minimum wage. That’s why NTUC made a second request to revise his wage in the beginning of 2019. Thanks to their support, he is now receiving it.

As became clear in the above example, NTUC has been organizing various policy dialogues and policy level intervention activities. They organized their workers through its regular activities, such as May Day, International Women Day, the International Occupational Health and Safety Day, Decent Work Day, Youth Day, etc. They focused on organizing and campaigning. Because of these and other efforts, NTUC and GEFONT have managed a very respectable increase of membership of 100.000 members in the past three years, of which the overwhelming majority are women and under 35 years old!

Nepal: only 102 positive corona cases, but many challenges lurking - Interview with Ramesh Badal from GEFONT

Ramesh Badal,
Vice-President of GEFONT

• What is the situation regarding COVID-19 in Nepal, a country between China where the outbreak happened and India where so many problems have been reported? 

Till now (8th of May 2020), Nepal has very few detected cases. The first corona case was detected in Nepal on 30th of January. After an initial slow start, over 70.000 tests have been conducted, which revealed only 102 positive cases. So far, Nepal has:

• no corona related deaths, 
• 30 people cured and released 
• 72 remain hospitalized 
• 135 are in isolation. 

As preventive measures, over 15.000 people are under government quarantine. All international flights and borders are closed till 31st May and a complete lock-down is imposed till 17th of May. However, in the past days, some 43 industries related to food or other items have been allowed to re-open with strict measures to abide for workers to avoid infections.
In the coming months, cases will most likely increase, as the lock-down will be lifted in phases and many of the Nepali migrant workers want to return from abroad. Nepal would have great difficulties to ensure proper quarantine for an estimated 177.000 returning migrant workers (127.000 from Gulf states & Malaysia and over 50.000 Nepali workers in India).

• How does GEFONT and the Nepali trade unions deal with this? What struggle are you currently facing?

Despite the few cases, of course, the Nepali economy is heavily impacted by this crisis. The lock-down caused many workers to be out of work, tourism revenue has dropped to zero and remittances from Nepali migrants, an important source for many Nepali households, are decreasing.

Nepal - COVID-19: Workers getting protection

Both NTUC and GEFONT started out with organizing assistance and hygiene awareness programmes for their members. Since the lock down in Nepal,  more recently they have also provided food relief to their members in need, mostly informal or day workers.

More importantly, both trade unions also advocated for the Government of Nepal to support workers affected by the pandemic. The Government followed their demands and announced a relief package on the 29th of March, including measures such as:

1. Government shall pay 31 percent of basic salary needed to pay to the Social security Fund by employer and employee and employer shall pay remaining amount only to the employees;
2. Employer should not cut salary of employee during the pandemic ensued lockdown;
3. Local government should manage and provide food during the lock-down to all daily waged and informal economy workers;
4. Private school fees for this month may not be paid by workers. 

The government also declared that the treatment for people infected by COVID-19 shall be done free of cost. However, some believe this package to be unclear and implementation to be unsure. M Ajay Kumar, Steering Committee member for Nepal also highlighted the issue of transport workers in an open letter to the Prime Minister.

Video made by GEFONT (in Nepali) to raise awareness among workers regarding the virus

WSM new partner in Nepal, the Social Protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN) has started broadcasting public announcements on the radio (Community Information Network) all over Nepal to increase public awareness for prevention measures. They have also signed a joint appeal regarding specific measures to be taken for children and other vulnerable categories.

ILO overview of COVID-19 measures implemented by governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and the ILO for Nepal: link

Nepal: relief package for workers

The Government of Nepal responded to the demand of GEFONT and issued the following relief package to workers affected by Corana-virus pandemic on 29th of March 2020:

1. Government shall pay 31% of basic salary needed to pay to the Social Security Fund by employer and employee. Employer shall pay remaining amount only to the employees.
2. Employers should not cut the salary of employees during the pandemic-ensued lockdown.
3. Local government should manage and provide food during the lock-down to all daily waged and informal economy workers.
4. Unemployed people, migrant returnees and those who cannot fly to their country of destination due to the pandemic may join the Prime Minister Employment Program and get subsistence allowance.
5. Private school fees for this month may not be paid by workers.
6. 2,5 Million NPR insurance to the medical person, ambulance driver, garbage cleaners and other employee.
7. Subsidized electricity supply during the pandemic.
8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) shall be provided free of cost to the employees concerned.
9. The treatment for people infected by COVID-19 shall be done free of cost.

Nepal: WSM to involve civil society for EU project with ILO and UNICEF on social protection floors

WSM has been mandated to involve Nepali civil society in an EU funded pilot project in which ILO and UNICEF work with the Nepali government to promote the social protection floors. These floors focus on four main aspects from the ILO R202: access to health, child allowances, elderly and income for the active population. While the WSM longstanding partners in Nepal, the trade unions, have worked very hard in the past years on the contributory social security act which focuses on the fourth part, this project is the opportunity to reach out to other civil society organisations and social movements to truly adopt the multi-stakeholder approach WSM is known for.

What has happened so far?
After some initial introductory meetings with ILO and UNICEF, WSM convened two stakeholders meetings on 18th and 26th of November with two main partners:

1. the Social Protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN), gathering 19 CSOs and 
2. ITUC-NAC: umbrella organisation of the three Nepali trade unions affiliated to ITUC, which is already the WSM partner in charge of the Nepal synergy.

With the slogan "From bottom to top, from floor to ceiling!", during the first meeting with 34 participants, we explained the context of this project, and they agreed on a number of values and vision regarding social protection, which came from the ANRSP Position Paper on Social Protection. They made suggestions of priorities for advocacy (what the Nepali government should do) and activities (what CSOs could do that is most relevant).  They also designated a steering group of eight people (two per cluster: health, children, active population and elderly). This Steering Group met twice to draft a work plan that was then shared during the second stakeholders meeting on 26th of November with 42 participants.

The next day, 27th of November, Nepal's National Day of Social Security, the trade unions mobilised for an event with the Nepali government regarding the contributory Social Security Fund, which fell right in the middle of the ILO Global Week on Social Protection where WSM also attended with 35 delegates.

At the level of Nepal, at the request of UNICEF, WSM also provided feedback on draft ToR for a consultant to be hired by UNICEF at the request of the National Planning Commission to work on an Integrated Framework for Social Protection.

Who has been involved?
This is the list of some of the 54 organisations attending, stakeholders of the (still informal) Nepal Network on the Right to Social Protection: Action Aid Nepal, Alliance for Social Dialogue, ANTUF, Children and Women in Social Services and Human Rights (CWISH), Collective Campaign for Peace (CoCAP), Anamnagar, Community Self Reliance Center (CSRC), Dalit NGO Federation, Federation of Community Forestry Users Group, Food-first Information and Action Network, Freelancer, Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), Himalayan Nepal Foundation, Home Based Workers Concern Society Nepal, HomeNet Nepal, Integrated Development Society - Nepal, International Trade Unions Confederation - Nepal Affiliated Centers (ITUC-NAC), Jagaran Media Center, Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal, Japan International Labour Foundation, Loo Niva, Khokana, MAG, Mahila Atma Nirvarta Kendra (MANK), Media Advocacy Group, MWCSN, Nari SewaKendra (NSK), National Labour Academy, National Senior Citizens Federation (NASCIF), NDWA, Nepal Disability Women Association, Nepal Participatory Network (NEPAN), Nepal Public Health Foundation, Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Nepal Youth Foundation, NFWLHA, NGO Federation of Nepal, Niti Foundation, NNDSWO, Oxfam UK Nepal, Plan International Nepal, PossibleHealth, SAAPE, Sankalpa Nepal, SARTUC, Save the Children, Shakti Samuha, Social Protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN), Sustainable Nepal Management Consultancies, Swatantrata Abhiyan Nepal, Tuki Association Sunkoshi and Women for Human Rights (WHR).

Nepal Express: experienced through the eyes of 16 Flemish

“I’m Phudoma (35) and I’ve been working as a trekking guide since I was 27. Coming to Kathmandu, I really didn’t know where to start. I first worked in hotels, making very little money. Then I went abroad for two years to work as a housekeeper. When I came back, I got an arranged marriage. My husband is also a trekking guide. Initially, I accompanied him on treks as assistant guide, making 5 EUR per day. After three years of marriage, I got a daughter. I didn’t get any maternity leave, because trekking is a seasonal activity. As a woman, I don’t get a lot of offers, maybe once or twice a season, making 1.700 NPR (17 EUR) per day. The months I do not work as guide, I often go back home to help my parents farming. Trekking is dangerous business and not a season goes by without some of us getting injured or dying. I was lucky enough never to have had any accident. Seven years ago I joined the trade union UNITRAV, affiliated to GEFONT, to improve my salary. Later I was elected as secretary of UNITRAV. They asked me to try to organize more female members, by training them as guides. We also try to organize the ladies working in the tea houses along trekking routes, as they can be potential guides or porters”.

This testimony was collected during the Nepal Express, a group trip organized by WSM in Nepal with 16 Flemish people from 21 Sept till 6 Oct. 2019. The trip, unlike many other immersion trips, focused on empathy, experience and challenges. Before even their arrival, each participant collected 2.000EUR to support WSM's Nepali partners. One of the portraits used by them to explain the realities in Nepal to their friends and family was of Doma Sherpa, a guide with UNITRAV, affiliated to GEFONT.

Having talked so often about her, the group was thrilled to have Doma be one of the guides while trekking. She explained that the bargaining power of guides used to be very little. Guides and porters would accept any offer. Since they became organized, they have made demands from the Travel Tours Association from Nepal (TAAN), which led to improvements in terms of salaries, insurance, shelter etc. In 2011, the salary for an assistant guide was 500 NPR (3,78 EUR). Since 2017, through negotiations, they obtained a minimum wage of 1.700 NPR (12,87 EUR) for guides and porters. Also the insurance for guides and partners had to be negotiated. Now, besides hospitality expenses, they have obtained fixed amounts per injury or death, which should apply automatically.

Afterwards one of the participants of the Nepal Express wrote this: “With mixed feelings, we return home. Happy for so many unforgettable experiences, but also a bit melancholic to leave this wonderful country and its incredibly friendly people. One thing is certain: each of us has a piece of Nepal in us for the rest of our lives.” See their pictures and updates form the trip on their Facebook page.

Social Security Coverage for all Nepali workers

Another major issue we have been working on with WSM support is social protection, where we were able to draft a position paper on behalf of all the trade unions, which was used as the main tool while bargaining with the employers and the government, and that I think led to a milestone for social security in Nepal.  Ramesh Badal, GEFONT and Steering Committee member for Nepal.

New historic social security legislation was passed in July 2017, after 18 years of lobbying by the trade unions, WSM partners. A universal social security bill was passed which has paved the way for the government to four main social security schemes. For the very first time, all those working in formal and informal sectors will be covered by unemployment, maternity, health, accident, old age and disability benefits. Workers will contribute 11%, while employers 20% and the government will ensure the management of the system. The 27th of November was declared National Social Security Day, to be celebrated yearly and offering an opportunity to yearly remind the government of its now very public commitment. And of course, WSM partners as trade unions gathered many of their members across the country to celebrate and inform workers of these new rights, and they'll be there to help ensure the government rolls out all these schemes and doesn't just stop at these four basic schemes.

Young trade union leaders are not the future, they are today's leaders! (GEFONT)

Bikey Shrestha is a young taxi driver from the transport federation affiliated to GEFONT:

 “I am a young leader, but GEFONT has invested a lot in training us so we could take part in collective bargaining. The Nepali government recently imposed an Education Qualification requirement, which meant that taxi drivers, besides their driving licence, had to have studied until 16 years (finished class 10). Most taxi drivers currently don’t have this level of education, so it would have meant many would have lost their jobs or were at risk of being imprisoned. Our trade union played a vital role to dismiss this requirement, through the negotiations with the authorities, after we submitted a Policy Letter of Memorandum to the Traffic Police. We also managed to increase our salaries to 3750 NPR (27,2€) per month. However, we still haven’t manged to ensure the full implement of the Social Security Law, which is our next priority. Meanwhile, we have started a solidarity fund, to which all taxi drivers contribute and so when one of us has an accident, they can get some financial support.”

GEFONT dedicated the WSM support to organizing young workers and equipping them with leadership skills. Based on examples from brick factories in Bhaktapur and for transport sector, it seems Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) are what young workers feel has the most important impact, as it improves the lives of not only their members, but of all workers. One of their important messages was that young leaders aren’t the leaders of tomorrow, they should be leaders today! Young workers shouldn’t have to wait for positions to be given by the current leadership, but should demand and take up leadership positions now already, as young workers have specific issues and face articular challenges (internships, lack of permanent contracts, more at risk for sexual harassment etc.).

The main achievement through the WSM support is that GEFONT was able to organize the young workers within the GEFONT rank and file. Ramesh Badal, Steering Committee member for Nepal

Nepal making strides towards social security

 While in many places, social security is under threat, in Nepal, new historic social security legislation was passed and last week they started the implementation.

In July 2017, after 18 years of lobbying by the trade unions, WSM partners, a universal social security bill was passed which has paved the way for the government to four main social security schemes. For the very first time, all those working in formal and informal sectors will be covered by unemployment, maternity, health, accident, old age and disability benefits. Workers will contribute 11%, while employers 20% and the government will ensure the management of the system.

Of course, passing legislation is an important step, but to guarantee implementation, it needs to be widely known and accepted. In an unprecedented PR move, the government took out adds in all newspapers, covering the entire first page with this news, SMS were send to subscribers, billboards were placed all over town to graphically show the four schemes. The 27th of November was declared National Social Security Day, to be celebrated yearly and offering an opportunity to yearly remind the government of its now very public commitment.

And of course, WSM partners as trade unions gathered many of their members across the country to celebrate and inform workers of these new rights, and they'll be there to help ensure the government rolls out all schemes and doesn't just stop at these four basic schemes.

A good environment practice from Nepal: Himalaya Campaigns by UNITRAV-GEFONT

UNITRAV, a union of around 2.000 Sherpa or guides/porters, organised a cleaning campaign on the Mt. Everest, where workers of the union collected waste left behind from the tourists on the mountain (air tanks, garbage etc.). This has been a big issue, as generations of mountain climbers simply left all their waste behind, which freezes and doesn't decompose. This was also a way to sensitize other guides and tourists that the mountain needs to be kept clean and protected.

Dorje Khatri

Another campaign conducted by GEFONT was  ‘Save the climate, save the Himalayas’. In 2011, Dorje Khatri, leader of Nepal’s trade union of Sherpas, Vice-President of GEFONT, and a committed defender of the environment, planted the ITUC flag atop the peak of Everest as part of global mobilisation by unions pushing for action on climate change leading up to the Durban Climate Summit, which he attended. Khatri did more than going up the mountain seven times. Aspects like climate change indeed affect the melting of the ice and glaciers, which in turn endangers the lives of workers and the population in general. He also spent untold hours organizing fellow Sherpas into their union to achieve decent wages and employment rights. Sadly, in April 2014, Dorje Khatri was among 12 people killed in one of the worst disasters on Mount Everest ever recorded.  Since then, as decided by the 3rd ITUC World Congress, the ITUC General Council annually recognises outstanding contributions to the fight for sustainability and justice, through the Dorje Khatri Award.

How to pay to extend social protection?

 ITUC, with FES and WSM brought together 140 participants from over 30 trade unions and civil society organisations in the world to look at ways to finance social protection 17-18 September in Brussels. Worldwide, social protection is increasingly recognised as a priority: by the ILO (with Recommendation 202 on social protection floors adopted in 2012), the EU, the World Bank, the IMF and even the G20. As a result, it features very prominently in the Sustainable Development Goals (1.3).

Gijs Justaert from the policy department of WSM: “Though the consensus on the need for social protection grows, the main question remains: how to achieve universal social protection in each country?”. Alison Tate, Director of Economic and Social Policy at ITUC feels that “extending social protection shouldn’t be seen by governments as an increased expense, as many do - in an environment of austerity, but as an investment that pays off in terms of better skills, greater equality and inclusive economic growth.”

Several international organisations (ILO, WB, IMF, EU and OECD) and development partners shared their views on the question of sustainable financing. Bruno Deceukelier, Asia Coordinator for WSM sees “a big difference in approach between some of them. The World Bank and IMF want to assist the extreme poor or crises affected population, whereas Social Protection with a right based approach would ensure universal coverage, which would also gather larger support from all citizens.” The FES Social Protection Index and other research shows that in the short term, 71 countries could achieve social protection floors for all by investing an extra 2% of GDP or less.

Sulistri, from KSBSI

“In South Asia, the informal workers still have to be reached and covered by the newly adopted social security schemes, because they represent over 80% of the population, as well as labour migrants, both in the sending or the destination countries”, says Umesh from GEFONT in Nepal. 

Sulistri, from KSBSI, and also Steering Committee member for Indonesia of the Asia Network on the Right to Social Protection (ANRSP) echoes this: “As a union we successfully pushed for the inclusion of workers from the informal economy in the law on social security, but it is complicated because the contributions come only from the workers, and have to be paid regularly; if not, they lose their benefits. This seminar looked at eight options to finance Social Protection, and, hopefully with the assistance from ITUC, we can analyse which are most appropriate for us in Indonesia.” 

Prit SoUot from CLC Cambodia, highlights existing gaps: “the NSSF only covers employment injury insurance for the enterprises employing at least 8 workers and that the Cambodian Government’s plan to extend social insurance for disabled, unemployed and retirement needs to be closely monitored.”

Francisca Altagracia Jimenez
AMUSSOL-CASC

Francisca Altagracia Jimenez from AMUSSOL-CASC explained their efforts to cover the informal workers in the Dominican Republic, which wasn’t an evident choice for trade unions, but which has allowed them to increase their membership. “Today, more than 60.000 informal economy workers, 40% of them women, enjoy health care, employment injury insurance and an old age pension.” 

But social protection is not only for the workers, and Drissa Soare from CNTB, Burkina Faso highlights the importance of working together with other actors of civil society, like health cooperatives to help ensure the access to health: “with the support of WSM, we have been working together in a multi-stakeholder network to lobby for better legislation and extend the services and coverage to their members.”

 Drissa Soare from CNTB, Burkina Faso and Alison Tate, ITUC

In short, as Alison Tate, Director of Economic and Social Policy of ITUC says: “Promoting Social protection is part of the core business of trade unions, as it links directly to the fight against inequality.” This seminar allowed trade unionists and civil society representatives from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe to share experiences and good practices. Several of them highlighted the need to work together in strategic alliances to address the huge challenges that remain.  Something WSM and its partners already do within their network on the right to social protection. Something ITUC, FES, WSM and several other civil society organisations do within the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors.

In short, the conference was an excellent opportunity for WSM and its partners to increase their visibility and highlight some of their work, not only to other trade unions, but also to stakeholders like the ILO, potential donors and partners which could support our rights-based approach to promote the right to social protection for all around the world.

What has the most significant change for young leaders in trade unions?

15 young leaders of GEFONT discussed this today in Kathmandu, with the help of Gopal. Based on examples from brick factories in Bhaktapur and for transport sector, it seems Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) are what they feel has the most important impact, as it improves the lives of not only their members, but of all workers.

One of the important messages was that young leaders aren’t the leaders of tomorrow, they should be leaders today! It meant for participants they don’t have to wait for positions to be given by the current leadership, but to demand and take up leadership positions, as young workers have specific issues and face particular challenges (internships, lack of permanent contracts, more at risk for sexual harassment etc.) that need to be represented already now at leadership level of trade unions or during CBA negotiations.

Trade unions as actors for development

Over 15 representatives of Asian trade unions (of which GEFONT, NTUC, CLC and KSBSI) as well as solidarity support organisations (SSOs), of which WSM and IIWE, met in Bangkok, Thailand on 19-20 June 2018 to review, strengthen and coordinate international cooperation initiatives.

Trade unions across the world are involved in international cooperation initiatives. The TUDCN Partnerships work provides a platform for them to share best practice, coordinate their work and construct common tools to strengthen the effectiveness of this work. The TUDCN is undertaking a series of regional meetings to increase the inter-regional coordination of this work.

After Nepal gets Social Security, New Labour Act

After the Social Security passed, the New Labour Act was adopted last week by the Nepali Parliament. Following are some the reported major features:
1. Proposed law covers entire world of work including domestic workers.
2. This law has been agreed as the basic law; all employees will get wages and benefits as required by this law.
3. All forms of exploitative labour practices including child and forced labour is banned. Employers are restricted to make any agreement banning person from joining unions.
4. Employment structure is categorised as casual work, time-bound work, task based work and regular work. Whatever structure is made in employment contract- there will be no discrimination in terms of wages and benefits.
5. Basic Social protection measures such as gratuity, accidental benefits, sickness benefits, Medicare including workers saving– the provident funds is payable from day one of employment. Trainee and part time workers are also covered.
6. Outsource job is made more responsible, if the non-licensee recruiting agencies supply labour to any workplace; in principle, the employer is responsible to meet all benefits.
7. Making work appraisal transparent.
8. Without valid reasons and fulfilling lawful obligation, no one is to be fired from employment. In case of unlawful firing, the employer can be held accountable .Union leaders are protected during retrenchment.
9. Retiring age increased from 55 to 58 years.
10. Women workers enjoy better protection compared to the previous law:

• Transport facilities are to be provided if women are working in night shift;
• 98 days of maternity protection leave, 60 days paid;
• In case of miscarriage of 7 months and above pregnancy, benefit is provided as of maternity;
• There will be no discrimination based on gender;
• Strong disciplinary action proposed against harassment.

11. Social dialogue

• a. Every two years, the minimum wage is reviewed.
• b. Common bargaining committee in agreement of multi-unions on enterprise level is added besides the right to take part in CBA by the authentic union.
• c. 21 days given for bilateral negotiation and 30 days given for labour office to reconcile collective disputes. In case no agreement is signed during that time, union may call for strike by giving 30 days notice except essential service or state of emergency or dispute in EPZ or parties agreed for arbitration or government refer the case to arbitration. Much emphasis on given to arbitration in labour dispute by providing the right to government to refer the case to arbitration. However, such arbitration award may be challenged within 5 working days.
• d. The collective agreement is valid as equivalent to law for 2 years and remains valid if it is not changed by the next CBA.
• e. Strike action should not be prohibited without providing an alternative mechanism for collective dispute settlement.
• f. There is no agreement on sectoral central bargaining, though Nepal already ratified ILO convention 98.

12. Leave facilities and Paid public holidays are increased and May Day and 8 March included.
13. Existing factory inspection system is broadened to labour inspection system.
14. Mechanism such as enforcement of agreement and judgement is included.
15. Few flexible provisions of the Act may invite negative consequences if union became less smart:

• a. Contractual, time-bound categories of employment may escalate, though workers of all categories are entitled to enjoy all benefits and social protection measures.
• b. Period of trainees may extend to 1 year, however with no difference in entitlement.
• c. Retrenchment can be done in consultation of union, here union need to be more responsible.
• d. Everyone is entitled to get minimum facilities as stipulated in the law, but more than minimum can be reduced through CBA- here union needs to be smart
• e. There is fixed list for termination of the workers, however, additions can be made through CBA. If a union plays foul, there will negative consequences.

Andre Kiekens, the SG of WSM talks about OHS in Nepal

Andre Kiekens, General Secretary of World Solidarity visited Nepal and the partners there. On the 28th of April, during the International Occupation Health and Safety Day, he made the following speech at meetings of NTUC and GEFONT.

It’s an honor for me to participate in this event regarding Occupational Safety and Health in Kathmandu. It is the first time that I have the opportunity to be in your nice country and this happening of your trade unions.
World Solidarity is the NGO of the Workers’ movement in Belgium and is proud to support the work of our Nepali friends on this important issue, through our partnership with these strong social movements.
That is also the reason why we give attention to this topic within the synergy programme of your organizations. Health and safety at work is really important everywhere in the world, which is why today, it is the International Day on Occupational Safety and Health. But in the context of Nepal, it is particularly needed, because there are a lot of challenges linked to this issue.
As you know, World Solidarity focuses on the issue of the “Right to Social Protection” and Social Protection has many dimensions. But a good social protection starts with good working conditions. Work is the base for a better life and cannot be the cause of diseases or illness. 

A few days ago we also remembered the catastrophe of Rana Plaza, which highlighted the working conditions of the garment sector in Bangladesh. This catastrophe shocked the world and raised awareness about the importance of safety and health as a real problem in the supply chain in Asia. Today, we can also refer to the same problems in working conditions in Qatar and the labour migrants.  In Europe, we are organizing campaigns to tackle these problems together with you.
I take this opportunity to congratulate your union for the very important role you are playing in the construction for a better, more equal, safe and democratic society in Nepal.
Trade unions have taken their responsibilities in the new constitution drafting, now, the draft labour law and the universal social security bill are on the agenda.
After that, implementation of these legislations will also be demanding and a tough and long process, which will require the involvement of all sectors and their companies. This is really an amazing structural route. We admire that the unions try to do this in unity. This synergy is making our voice so much stronger!
It is a good strategy for everywhere but it is even more important in a country where recently, political and social conflicts were so present.  You as actors of social dialogue and social protection are actors of peace. That’s also why WSM is ready to support your work with a new programme of collaboration for the next five years. This is not only about funding, but is also a commitment for exchanging ideas and capacity building based on shared values.
That’s also why a few months ago, we invited the leaders of the 3 ITUC affiliates (GEFONT, NTUC and ANTUF) to Brussels in November 2016 to share experiences. So our guests had the opportunity to share ideas and strategies and to learn from each other and the Belgian unions. As you can see, we are brothers in the same fight. And as your slogan, we should remember the victims together and fight for the living!
Solidarity greetings from the workers in Belgium and lots of courage and good luck with your important mission.
Namaste!