Sudurpaschim government, local employees reach five-point deal; Protests suspended
Dhangadhi: The Sudurpaschim provincial government and local-level employees have reached a five-point understanding, leading to the suspension of all ongoing protest programs by the agitating employees.
The agreement comes after a series of protests by local-level employees demanding the issuance of the Local Service Act, which they argued was essential for their career progression. With this agreement, employees will now return to their respective duties across the province.
The provincial government has pledged to immediately issue the bill regarding the formation, operation, and conditions of service of the Sudurpaschim Province Local Service. The bill, already approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to the Provincial Assembly, will be tabled as the first agenda item in the upcoming budget session on Jestha 11. It will then be published in the Gazette and sent to the local level for implementation.
The understanding was signed by negotiation committee coordinator and Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Surendra Bahadur Pal, Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress Bikram Dhami, and Chief Whip of the CPN-UML Chakra Bahadur Malla. On behalf of the agitating employees, the agreement was signed by Local Level Employees Province Struggle Committee Coordinator Jhalak Bahadur Daulyal and member Indra Rawal.
Also signing the memorandum were Nepal Civil Servants Organization Sudurpaschim Province President Mahadev Joshi, Nepal Civil Servants Union Province President Dharma Bahadur Deuba, Nepal National Civil Servants Organization Province President Bal Bahadur Dhami, and Unified Government Employees Organization Province Secretary Sunil Rawal.
Although the bill had been forwarded to the Education and Provincial Affairs Committee and its report was submitted to the Assembly, delays in its official issuance had sparked protests from Baisakh 28 onward. Following Saturday’s agreement, all protest programs have now been officially suspended.
Dineshkhabar Desk