Labourers interest need constitutional protection

First convention of Nepal’s Rashtriya Krishi Shramik Sangh

The first convention of the Rashtriya Krishi Shramik Sangh, Nepal, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Shramik Sangh, Nepal, was organised at Bhairava from December 20 to 21. The two-day convention was presided over by the national president of the Rashtriya Krishi Shramik Sangh Shri Lakshmi Bhatt. A labour officer in Nepal Shri Vedprakash, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh national organising secretary Shri KC Mishra from India and BMS zonal organising secretary Shri Pawan Kumar also addressed the convention.

Addressing the convention Shri Vedprakash pointed out that 80 per cent of the labour force in Nepal agriculture sector is totally neglected and exploited. He congratulated the Rashtriya Krishi Shramik Sangh for taking initiative to organise the agriculture labourers, who do not have any kind of security even from the Government. He said whatever benefits the Government wants to provide to the agriculture labourers do not reach them properly. He assured full cooperation from the labour department in the fight for the cause of the agriculture labourers.

Shri KC Mishra from friendly labour organisation Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Delhi, extended support to the Rashtriya Krishi Shramik Sangh Nepal. He applauded the decision of the Krishi Shramik Sangh to remain apolitical, as only an apolitical organisation can truly fight for the cause of the labourers. He said it is only because of being apolitical that the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh is number one labour organisation in India. He pointed out that over 200 labour organisations in Russia during the 1990s had declared themselves apolitical. He called upon the labour organisation of Nepal to adopt a resolution at the convention for the benefit of the labourers and send to the Constituent Assembly so that the interests of the labourers could be safeguarded while formulating the new constitution of the country.

A total of 12 resolutions were adopted at the convention demanding implementation of Compensation Act, social security for labourers, implementation of labour laws and generating more employment. At the convention Shri Lakshmi Bhatt was elected national president, while Shri Gopal Yadav was elected general secretary. Shri Vaijnath Sharma will be the treasurer. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Sanghachalak Shri Hem Sharma and Sahpracharak Shri Revit Kumar also addressed the convention.     —Bureau Report