Birgunj sanitation workers end strike after deal on wages, working conditions

Sanitation workers in Birgunj Metropolitan City have returned to their duties after a successful strike that concluded with an agreement between the workers and their contractor company. The metropolitan office mediated the talks, which were attended by acting mayor Imtiyaz Aalam and Chief Administrative Officer Basanta Bahadur Bohara, along with ward chairs and municipal staff.

The agreement ensures that sanitation workers will receive their salaries between the 5th and 10th of each Nepali month. It also mandates the implementation of the government-mandated minimum wage and provides for overtime allowance for any work exceeding eight hours daily. Furthermore, the contractor is now obligated to cover first aid expenses for workers injured on the job and supply necessary safety equipment. The agreement also includes a clause preventing mistreatment of workers and assures that local Nepali workers facing citizenship-related employment issues will not be dismissed.

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The dispute was resolved by addressing the legitimate demands of the workers to ensure that sanitation services were not disrupted.

Acting mayor Aalam stated that the dispute was resolved by addressing the workers' legitimate demands, thereby preventing further disruption to essential sanitation services. He emphasized the critical role sanitation workers play in maintaining the city's hygiene and reaffirmed the municipality's commitment to respecting their labor. The pact was formally signed by Shiva Kumar Gupta, operator of NK International Management Pvt Ltd, and representatives of the striking workers. With the resolution, waste collection and management services, which had been halted for several days, have now resumed.

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Sanitation workers play a key role in keeping the city clean, and the municipality remains committed to respecting their labour.