Unilever Nepal lifts lockout at its factory

Unilever Nepal Limited (UNL) on Thursday said it is lifting the lockout at its factory in Hetauda, Makwanpur. The factory has remained out of operation since August 7 due to a strike called by trade unions. The company decided to resume operation following a tripartite meeting between the representatives of trade unions, Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and UNL management on Wednesday. “The company agreed to reopen its factory by withdrawing lock out as an outcome of the meeting wherein representatives of the two workers’ unions extended an assurance of good conduct and productive engagement for the functioning of the factory,” says a press statement issued by the company, which does not specifically say when operations would resume. With reopening of the factory, the UNL management has also called on its workers to resume work. “Management is pleased to welcome back all the workmen in the factory and wish all employees greetings for the coming festive season and best wishes ahead,” says the UNL statement. Workers of UNL had staged protests since July 10, demanding allocation of Rs200,000 as “residential fund”. The workers also claimed that the management had refused to implement an agreement on “residential fund” reached on May 29. Following a three-point agreement with the management, the workers on August 8 called off their 28-day strike. However, the UNL management again locked down the factory after a Maoist-affiliated trade union issued a deadline, demanding that the management reinstate sacked workers and fulfil their 15-point demand. The UNL had cited “lack of safety” as the reason to close down the factory and stated it was not in a position to meet the entire demands of workers. Unilever Nepal is multinational company dealing in fast moving consumer goods. The factory, established in 1993, employs 208 workers. Last fiscal year, its transactions stood at Rs4.87 billion and earned a net profit of Rs900 million. source: ekantipur