An Introduction

GeneralFederation of Nepalese Trade

Unions

[GEFONT]

Vision Statement

'Socialism for the

Dignified Working

Class and a

Prosperous Life'

Mission

To build awareness in working class on rights & responsibilities

To strengthen unified pro-worker trade unionism

To eliminate feudal production relations To be active for international solidarity

of working classes against capitalist globalisation

To strengthen the role of the working class in social movement

To assist the establishment of people's pluralistic democratic political system

Basic PrincipleGEFONT is a Pro-worker Trade Union Movement. Following are the basic Characteristics

Mass base

Independent

Militant

Socialist Perspective

Our Historical Footsteps1947 Nepalese trade union movement started 1950 All Nepal Trade Union Congress (ANTUC)

established as first reorganised union center1960-78 Unions were banned 1979 Reorganised process started as continuation

of ANTUCJuly 20, 1989 GEFONT established July 1990 First open air programme of GEFONT

GEFONT National Congress First Congress March 28-31, 1992

Second Congress March 16-19, 1996 Third Congress May 1-3, 2000

National Affiliates

NIWU ITGWUN ITWAN NICWU NIHWU UNITRAV

ITPWUN

IPWUN

NATUCUPPECIGCUNNIFBWUNICIWUNRPU

FAWN

CWWD

Name of Affiliates Paid up Signature Associate TotalManufacturing (NIWU) 1,000 3,500 4,300 7,800Textile-garment (ITGWUN) 5,000 15,000 17,000 32,000Transportation (ITWAN) ,853 12,853 39,802 52,655Carpet (NICWU) ,000 5,154 15,326 20,480Hotel (NIHWU) 5,538 8,000 12,000 20,000Trekking (UNITRAV) 1,284 5,700 5,300 11,000Press (IPWUN) 250 850 2,950 3,800Tea-plantation (ITPWUN) 2,500 5,500 4,000 9,500Auto-mechanics (NATU) 1,800 1,800 2,200 4,000Construction (CUPPEC) 4,790 4,790 17,710 22,500Garbage cleaners (IGCUN) 8,18 1,046 3,054 4,100Food and Beverage (NIFBWU) 3,029 3,029 6,171 9,200Chemical- Iron (NICIWU) 3,813 3,813 16,727 20,540Riskhaw Pullers (NRPU) 3,000 14,000 4,000 18,000Agriculture (FAWN) 3,000 35,257 39,743 75,000

Total 52,175 120,292 190,283 310,575

Membership

StructureNational Congress (every 4 yrs.)

National Council (meets every year)

National Executive Committee (meets 1/2 yr.

Cen

tral

O

ffic

e

Secretariat

Deparments• Foreign Affair• Labour Relation• Education• Finance• Office-pub

Issues basecommittee

Zonal Comt.

RegionalCo-ordination

Committee

District Co-ord Committee

NationalAffiliates

interpriselocal unit C

omm

issi

on•

Plan

ning

& r

esea

rch

• A

udit

ing

LocalCommittes

National Congress

National Council

National Exe Cott’ee

Secretariat

Commissions

Departments

Subject Cott’ees

Affiliates

Regional Annual Planning

WorkshopAnnual Planning

Workshops in Regions

Zonal Committes

Past Activities1. From July 1993, GEFONT started a programme

named - TRUE Campaign. Later, it was revised and modified as a 'Mobile Trade Union School'.

2. An 'Emergency Fund Scheme' was designed for the assistance and welfare of workers. It was established on December 10, 1994.

3. GEFONT is providing free legal services to the needy ones.

Past Activities4. GEFONT launched a plan of action to

implement OSH education and training through its subject committee.

5. GEFONT has successfully organised an International Trade Union Conference (ITUC) on ' Economic Liberalisation and Pro-worker Trade Unionism" From December 10-14, 1994 in Kathmandu. In order to co-ordinate activities among network members the conference entrusted the responsibility of ITUN secretariat to GEFONT.

Past Activities6. GEFONT has developed its own strategy of

progressive elimination of child labour. It is one of the on-going campaigns of GEFONT.

7. Policy intervention is one of the key area for GEFONT. GEFONT contributed lots with special emphasis on National Labour Policy since 1996. It resulted declaration of a national labour policy 2000. Besides this, there are several issues on which GEFONT has played a key role in policy formulation.

8. GEFONT is giving high emphasis to organise informal sector including agriculture.

Past Activities9. Kamaiyas are the most exploited worker in

Nepal. GEFONT organised a campaign and now, they have been officially liberated and GEFONT effort enabling them to enter in labour market is ongoing.

10. Under the slogan "Not Mere Representation but Participation", GEFONT has been gearing up Woman Workers' Campaign since 1992. This campaign aims at highlighting the women & gender issues at workplace.

11. The Campaign for Line Industry Federation has been completed late 1997 by restructuring various affiliates.

Past Activities12. GEFONT planned to develop 100 all-rounder

trade unionists by the year 2000 as one of the Human Resource Development programmes initiated after 1996 under GEFONT umbrella.

13. Workers' Co-operatives has been given due emphasis. Having several hit-and-trial exercises, GEFONT has come at a point to launch a Health Co-operative.

14.GEFONT has launched a Campaign for Labour Building Construction by year 2000. It is a symbol of Dignity and Unity of the working class of Nepal. The project has completed now, with a building inaugurated on 1 May 2000.

GEFONT Campaign in New Millenium

1. Educational Campaign

2. Organisational expansion & mobilisation

3. Development of a unified Trade Union

Movement

4. Involvement in issues of social concern

5. Planned movement in basic levels

6. Social security campaign

7. Campaign for an effective implementation

of

labour laws

8. Programme for Human Resource

Development

GEFONT Campaign in New Millenium

9. Workers' co-operatives for collectivism10. Programme for financial independence11. Campaign for woman workers12. Action research and policy intervention13. Joining hands with political parties for social transformation 14. Foreign employment & programme for migrant workers15. Development of international relation16. Publication reflecting collectivism and based on target groups