Nepal Telecom Employee Regulations Dispute, Why the amendment had to be made the very next day?
Nepal Telecom Employees Regulation Dispute, Why the amendment had to be made the next day?
Conflict between trade unions and management is not new in Nepal Telecom. Former Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Banskota, while addressing the forum on the occasion of Telecom’s anniversary, said that the employees stood in black bandages and the minister said, “Will you come to the party in the evening?”
A similar ‘clash’ was witnessed between the employees and the management of the telco on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the trade union workers, including the managing director, Delhi Adhikari, stayed overnight at the telco after the trade union failed to meet their demands.
The main demand of the trade union was to amend the Employees Regulations 2061. This revised regulation was passed by the telecom staff management only on September 20.
The trade union had asked to move ahead with the process of amending the regulations passed on July 20. According to the trade union, the management board had committed to consult for the amendment the day after the revised regulations were passed.
Why did the revision process have to move forward from the day after it was passed? What is its main controversy?
To understand this, first of all, it is necessary to know about the provisions of Nepal Telecom’s Employees Regulations-061 before the amendment and the provisions after the Resources.
Staff Regulations-2061
In the Employees Regulations 2061, up to 9 levels of telecom employees had got trade union rights. The regulations had made it possible for employees up to 9 levels to participate in trade unions.
Similarly, an arrangement was made for the employees working at the upper level to retire automatically after a certain period of tenure. For example, the regulation provided for automatic retirement of ten level employees after 8 years of service. Similarly, 11 level employees would be automatically retired after a term of five years.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Nepal Telecom would be appointed through open competition and would retire automatically after the end of his tenure. The term of the Managing Director is 3 years. There is a provision to add two more years if the government wants.
Revised regulations
Telecom management has made some amendments to the above mentioned provisions. The rights of trade unions up to 9 levels have been reduced to 7 levels. In other words, only employees up to 7 levels can now participate in trade unions.
Similarly, the provision of automatic retirement for ten level employees after 8 years and 11 level employees after five years has been removed. By amending it, the provision that he can work up to the age limit has been included in the amendment.
Similarly, new provisions have been brought in the case of Managing Director. According to the amended provision, after the expiration of the three-year tenure of the managing director, he will be able to return to the position from which he reached the post of managing director.
Provision has been made in the revised regulations to allow him to work in the previous post if his tenure in the telecom is remaining.
Trade union demands
The entire trade union has opposed these provisions in the amendment. The amended regulations had not been passed for three years. They have demanded that the old regulations be implemented.
They have demanded that the level of participation in trade unions should be 9th level, the time limit for retiring at 10th and 11th levels should be kept the same and they should retire automatically after the end of the tenure of the managing director.
Chairman of the Nepal Telecom Trade Union (NTWU) Rajendra Joshi said that the new arrangement would hamper the professional development of the employees and deprive them of the right to participate in the trade union.
“The regulations regulate the professional development and rights of employees,” said Joshi.
He said that he stayed overnight when he went to the delegation rather than arresting the managing director. “He (the managing director) was also inside,” he said.
Chairman of the Nepal Telecom National Employees Union Yadav Paneru also said that the delegation on Tuesday was emergency. He also demanded that the staff regulations be maintained.
“We had given various suggestions in 24 points to operate the telco as per the Companies Act,” Yadav said.
The trade union workers agreed to pass
The entire trade union also agreed to the revised staff regulations passed by the Nepal Telecom management on July 20. According to Yadav, it was agreed to pass the amendment.
However, in order to pass the regulation, the trade union had stipulated that the amendment process would start the next day.
After all, why the need for resources the day after they were passed? The revised regulations had already been approved by the Public Service Commission. Although the trade union was pushing for the amendment to be passed, it was difficult to send it back to the public service.
“Management cannot change the regulations made by a constitutional body,” the management said. “Let’s pass it now, but then send the public service for consultation.”
The trade unions had agreed to pass the agreement due to practical difficulties of management, but on the condition of sending the public service to consult the old system the next day.
According to the trade union, after the regulations are passed on July 20, they have to be sent to the public service for consultation.
According to Yadav, the delegation left on Tuesday as they were not sent for consultation. “The delegation has gone because of the delay in consultation,” Yadav said. “It’s not a big deal.” It can be easily changed. ‘
Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Hari Prasad Basyal has got compulsory retirement from Wednesday. Basyal, who is the chairman of the board, is aware of all these things.
The trade unions are in a hurry, fearing that the process could take a long time after he leaves and another secretary arrives.
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