Public transport entrepreneurs and workers have announced that they will launch an indefinite nationwide strike starting June 2 if the government fails to address their seven-point demands.

Representatives from several major transport-related organizations—including the Federation of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs, Central Federation of Public Transport Nepal, Federation of Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs, Nepal Transport Independent Workers' Association of Nepal, and Nepal Transport Workers' Union—have formed a joint body named the Central Struggle Committee for the Protection of Public Transport . The committee has outlined a protest program aimed at safeguarding the interests of the transport sector.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the committee stated that the strike was prompted by government actions that they claim could dismantle the existing public transport structure. These include the suspension of the Transport Association Committee and a move to replace it with a company-based model. The committee also criticized provincial governments for implementing laws and regulations that they argue contradict Article 57(6), Clause 3 or 5 of the Constitution and provisions under Sections 8(2) and 12 of Chapter 2 of the Vehicle Act, 2049.

The committee has demanded the immediate revocation of Section 2 of the Regulation 2082 issued by the Gandaki Province Government, which allows private vehicles with red plates to operate public transport service. They also called for the implementation of the Supreme Court's order mandating the renewal of transport associations under the Association Registration Act, 2034 BS. The committee urged the government to implement various agreements previously signed with transport entrepreneurs and labor unions, and to act on recommendations made by different government-formed task forces.

Additionally, the committee has called for strict enforcement of the load-carrying limits for both domestic and foreign freight vehicles, in line with Section 13 of the Freight Vehicle Load Regulation Directive, 2074 BS. They have demanded mandatory enrollment in the contribution-based Social Security Fund for public transport workers, timely amendment of the Public Vehicle Insurance Directive 2073, and the establishment of an accident relief fund to cover compensation and rescue efforts.

The committee has also emphasized the need for compulsory insurance for transported goods and the formation of a competent national transport authority to make the transport sector more systematic, consumer-friendly, and technology-driven. Furthermore, the committee is calling for an immediate amendment to the current policy that allows goods and passenger vehicles to enjoy a 72-hour clearance window at Nepal’s customs checkpoints when entering from neighboring countries.

To build pressure, the committee submitted memorandums to all ministries on Tuesday and plans to hand over demand letters to all seven provincial chief ministers on Wednesday. It has also announced a nationwide protest for June 1, including demonstrations with black flag.

The Struggle Committee has set a deadline of June 1 for the government to respond to their demands. If no action is taken by then, it has warned that all public transport services across the country will be suspended indefinitely from June 2.