May 12: With the issue of payment of workers taking centre stage, stakeholders have decided to form a task force to seek a solution to the crisis.

The task force was formed after a meeting between Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Raya Yadav, the employers and the respective trade unions.

As the meeting failed to find a solution, the ministry decided to form a the task force.

Associations of private companies had decided to provide 50 percent salary during the lockdown. They said that they would eventually provide the remaining half salary after lockdown. The employers associations have been continuously discussing about implementation of the decision.

According to Suman Ghimire, spokesperson at the ministry, the task force will consist of representatives from the government, employers and workers’ associations.  

According to Binod Shrestha, president of the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), private companies should follow the instruction of Nepal Government. The employers said that trilateral understanding is necessary to maintain the enterprises and maintain security of the staff.

In the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Development were present. Similarly, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Hotel Association of Nepal and Trade Union from private sector also attended the meeting.