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Agitating entrepreneurs withdraw transport strike

Following what they call as successful conclusion of talks with the government, the agitating transport entrepreneurs have withdrawn their indefinite strike, which has affected transport movement in four eastern zones.

"All our programmes of agitation have been withdrawn as the talks ended on a positive note. The government has agreed to fulfill our past agreements also," said Saroj Sitaula, treasurer of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation.

"On the issue of raising the accident insurance, the government has agreed to form a committee led by a joint secretary of Finance Ministry and including other stakeholders to make a timely review and recommend within two weeks," he added.

Sitaula said that transporters were suffering from on-the-spot hefty demands from local people during accidents.

The talks had taken place at the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management. The government had invited the agitating transport entrepreneurs for talks following directive by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to the Ministries of Home, Finance and Transport Management to resolve the crisis.

Raising ten-point demands including ensuring security of transport entrepreneurs; proper provisions for insurance and compensation; and ensuring representation of transport workers in the Constituent Assembly they had imposed indefinite strike for the past four days in Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha and Janakpur zones.

The strike had affected the movement of vehicles in the region. nepalnews.com sd May 16 08