FNCCI, JTUCC establish bilateral coordination committee

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) formally signed and exchanged the ‘FNCCI–JTUCC Bilateral Coordination Committee Operating Procedure’ during a high-level meeting at the FNCCI Secretariat on Wednesday.

The two organisations committed to institutionalising their bilateral relationship and making it more results-oriented to strengthen industrial relations, improve the investment climate and expand employment opportunities across the country.

Both sides expressed confidence that the newly established procedure would ensure continuous dialogue and co-operation between employers and trade unions, providing a strong foundation for joint work on matters of mutual interest.

Speaking at the meeting, FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha said labour relations in Nepal were improving and that an environment was gradually being created in which employers were strengthened and workers were protected.

Shrestha said the government should meaningfully involve employers and workers in the policy-making process when formulating labour and employment policies and laws, rather than treating them merely as witnesses.

JTUCC President Binod Shrestha said the bilateral forum should not be limited to general discussions but should serve as an effective platform for identifying and resolving practical problems in the labour sector.

JTUCC Immediate Past President Jagar Simkhada said employers and workers were complementary to each other and that both sides were ready to work beyond partisan and political boundaries to resolve mutual problems.

FNCCI Senior Vice President Sur Krishna Vaidya said both sides must work to ensure industrial peace, create a favourable investment climate, protect existing jobs, generate new employment and make social dialogue effective.

FNCCI Vice President and Employers’ Council Chairperson Prabal Jung Pandey said the coordination committee would study the challenges faced by both sides and seek common solutions.

During the meeting, FNCCI Vice President Krishna Prasad Sharma, Treasurer Manish Lal Pradhan, other office-bearers, central committee members and representatives of the Employers’ Council said the coordination committee should work towards building consensus in the coming days.

Priority areas include amendments to labour laws, social security, the minimum wage, the formalisation of the informal sector and the promotion of a system that combines work with education across age groups to support skills development and productivity.

The meeting also agreed to formulate a common strategy to address modern challenges, including climate change, artificial intelligence, automation, the gig economy and the ‘future of work’.

Both sides committed to undertaking joint initiatives with the government, the International Labour Organization and other stakeholder bodies.