Nepal: Class struggle in the factories

This article was published on Neil’s Nepal.

Maoists shut down Dabur factory in Nepal

Kathmandu: Even as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal sought more foreign investment and assured full security to industries, Maoists on Tuesday forced the closure of Indian ayurvedic giant Dabur’s subsidiary in Nepal.

After stopping the Dabur-sponsored annual beauty pageant a few weeks ago, the Maoists-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation Revolutionary on Monday forced shut, indefinitely, Dabur’s main factory in Bara district, 250 km south of Kathmandu.

The union is demanding 10 per cent bonus for the workers and other benefits. The closure has jeopardised employment of over 700 people.

Nepal: The Common Minimum Program

This article was published on Neil’s Nepal.

Is New Nepal Heading Toward People’s Republic?

Situation Update 76

On August 21, 2008, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), CPN (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) agreed on the Common Minimum Program (CMP), Code of Conduct (CoC), Modus Operandi of the Government (MOG) and the formation of a Political Coordination Committee (PCC). The documents were signed by Prime Minister and President of the CPN (Maoist) Puspa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, and Forum chair Upendra Yadav. The 50-point CMP is divided into: (i) Nationalism, (ii) Federal Democratic Republic, (iii) Peace and Security, (iv) Relief and Reconstruction, and (v) Socio-Economic Transformation.

The excerpts of CPMs are:

(i)Nationalism concerning unity and promotion

-Nepal’s sovereignty, national unity, independence and integrity shall be preserved, giving national importance to self-respect.

-National security, foreign policy, utilization of water resources, and mobilization of foreign assistance shall be based on Nepal’s sovereignty, independence, and welfare. Unequal treaties and agreements shall be reviewed.

-The foreign policy regarding neighbors shall be based on national interest, the UN Charter, non-alignment and the theory of Panchasheel.