Kathmandu, October 6
Government officials at the local level have halted non-essential services since Friday, insisting that their demands be addressed in the Federal Civil Service Bill. With the government failing to respond to their requests, a majority of government officials have ceased their regular work.
The government officials submitted their demands to the Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Anita Devi on Tuesday. They were warned if their demands were not met, they would be staging a strike on Friday.
In urban municipalities, including Kathmandu metropolitan city, employees have only symbolically disrupted services.
Government officials in rural areas have, however, stopped regular services which has affected service seekers throughout the country.
People’s representatives from various local levels have reported a halt in operations at the local level and ward offices. Deepak Gautam, the coordinator of the Struggle Committee of officials said all local level work has come to a standstill.
“Our demands went unheard until Thursday, and as per our pre-announced programme, we have ceased providing non-essential services at the local level since today,” he said. “We will continue to do so until our demands are met.”
The demands of local-level employees encompass various points. Firstly they want the right to establish a trade union at the local level. They also want the bill to ensure there is inter-level transfer along with the effective management of adjusted employees.
The local-level government officials also want equal opportunities for skills development for employees across all three levels and have demanded the formation of an employee welfare fund at the local level.
Additionally, the committee calls for the proper management of both permanent and contractual employees. They specifically request that the calculation of service periods be conducted fairly and that the transfer system not be utilised to increase the distance between employees and public representatives.
