Kathmandu, February 17
Nepal Press Union and the Federation of Nepali Journalists reached a two-point understanding on Friday.
Lockout ends
The union had been objecting to the manner in which the FNJ was distributing its membership.
The protesting party had been padlocking the FNJ central office since February 13. After the deal, the lockout has ended.
In a press release, union president Badri Sigdel and FNJ president Mahendra Bista said FNJ will issue another statement addressing the union’s concerns, while the union will end the lockout.
Non-working journos?
In some of the districts, where the union had accused FNJ of distributing membership to non-journalists, FNJ conventions have already taken place. As per the deal, in districts like Nuwakot, Rukum, Bara, Rautahat, Chitwan, Surkhet, Syangja, Pyuthan, Jajarkot, Siraha, Saptari, Rolpa, Humla, Dailekh, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, the FNJ secretariat will sort out the dispute by taking the union into confidence.
District conventions
The end of the lockout has paved the way for organising conventions of district chapters. In the eastern region, conventions will start on schedule in all other districts save Panchthar. In other districts where there’s no dispute regarding FNJ membership distribution, district conventions will take place on schedule.
