Working class will be most affected by climate change: GEFONT

General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) has on Wednesday asked the government to take initiations to mitigate the negative repercussions of climate change on working class of the country.

Organising a press meet in the capital to inform about the various aspects of the Fifth National Congress of GEFONT that took place from April 4 to 7,executive president of the GEFONT Mukund Neupane said, ”It is the working class that will be hit hard by the global problem of climate change. So, the government should take pro-active measures to shield this low income group from the effect of the problem.”

He also claimed that the introduction of hire and fire system by industries will be detrimental to the welfare of a majority of Nepali workers.

Industrialists of the country have been attributing the absence of hire and fire system in labour law to the onset of dispute between the employers and employees. They have also been demanding the introduction of the system for the smooth functioning of the crippled industrial sector of the country.

Neupane also said that the state should be serious towards ensuring social security to the working class of the country.

Stating that the GEFONT is against the forced closure of industrial units, Neupane also expressed commitment that his trade unions will work towards bridging gulf between employers and workers.

The 5th National Congress of General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) had kicked-off Kathmandu with the main theme of "Unity for Transformation".

Thousands of workers, close to 700 Congress delegates across the country and 45 International guests from various trade union organisations from America, Europe and Asia participated the opening session which was organised in the historic place of Basantapur in the capital, according to the GEFONT. nepalnews.com Apr 08 09