ENFORCE THE DECISION

The Kathmandu Post

6 May 2018

ENFORCE THE DECISION

During the last two decades, both the country and the people had to suffer because of frequent street protests and strikes called by major political parties and their sister wings. The Essential Service Operation Act 2014 was not properly implemented in the past due to unstable governments resulting in country losing billions of revenues during bandh. They completely failed to stop such protests and strikes. Even some seriously sick people and pregnant women died on the way to hospitals owing to such unwanted acts of the irresponsible political parties and their cadres. Many protesters and security personnel lost their lives. Many four wheelers and two wheelers were burnt down by the protesters.

Steps by the government to ban all kinds of strike by essential service providers with immediate effect are welcome (“Govt bans essential service disruption” April 25, page 1). Essential services include telephone, public transport, printing, internal security, water supply, tourism services, petroleum products supply, health services, waste management, banking, insurance, electricity and distribution of materials of daily use. It was a timely decision of the government to thwart the upcoming indefinite strike called by transport entrepreneurs against the government’s decision to end syndicate in the public transport sector.

The government also seems to be thinking about putting an end to syndicates in the taxi services in the near future to completely stop the malpractices of drivers bargaining rates from passengers by refusing to use the meter. Likewise, it is also considering quashing frequent strikes by the drivers and owners of oil tankers that ferry oil across the country. Both the government and the concerned organizations need to find out alternative ways to express their concerns and dissatisfactions related to their services. It is yet to be seen whether this government will be able to fully implement its decision to ban syndicates in the transport sector in the days to come.

Ray Brien Banged

Maharajgunj

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