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Nepal StrikesPhotography by Robin Fall

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In 2008, Nepalese police recorded 254 days with strikes. When strikes or bandhs occur, borders are closed, traffic is disrupted, govern-

ment offices, hospitals, businesses and bazaars are shut down. What started out in the early times of Nepal democracy as protest against the govern-ment is now a system for citizens to meet their demands. Strike culture is having a serious effect on the poor’s ability to feed themselves.

The Biratnagar Jute Mills, established in 1939, is the oldest factory in Nepal and one of the largest. The factory is also where the first labor strikes took place, leading to the overthrowing of the Rana, and the first elected officials in Nepal. Many of the great leaders of Nepal started their careers at the Biratnagar Jute Mills, including the current presi-dent of Nepali congress, Girija Prasad Koirala. I had a chance to speak to the ex-freedom fighter about the current strikes:

“It was the beginning, the seed of politics. The seed of the labor movement in Nepal and the tree has grown up. Sometimes irresponsible parties do something wrong… personally I am telling them this is not democracy and I’m trying to educate them.”

-Girija Prasad Koirala

Political parties still use strikes as political expres-sion like they did in 1947 but now ethnic groups, students, journalists, citizens and others also use strikes in response to the inefficient government.

On Monday, July 13, in the city of Biratnagar, Nar-vada Chaudhary, a student of Mahendra Morang Campus, was hit by a truck upon returning home from college. The following photos are of six differ-ent student unions closing down Biratnagar while vandalising buildings and cars.

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Nepal Strikes - Robin Fall Photography

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Nepal Strikes - Robin Fall Photography

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Supporters of the ex-king

and Maoists clash on the birthday of the former leader. The protests block traffic on the busy Himilayan Road in downtown Birat-nagar, Nepal.

Strikes happen without notice, causing busi-nesses and trans-portation to be shut down. Busi-nesses that don’t comply or react quickly get their windows broken out.

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Nepal Strikes - Robin Fall Photography

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When a strike occurs, businesses close down for days. Factories cannot get raw materials in time. Strikes happen for various reasons but the conse-

quences are detremental to the already suffereing economy of Nepal. The strike “holidays”, power outages, and not being able to manage under the conditions lead to the fatality of the oldest factory in Nepal where strike culture began.

The closing of the factory has played a huge toll on the city of Biratnagar, whose laborers are now without a job, some who have worked for decades. Kundad Thapa worked as a laborer for 20 years and now rents a rickshaw to support his wife and two children. At the mills, he used to make around Rs. 5,000 (65 USD) a month but now his salary varies:

“Sometimes I’ll make Rs.150, 50, 300, and sometimes I make 0. I used to be able to manage a package of rice (50kg) a month but at present I cannot even manage 5kg.”

-Kundad Thapa

According to Thapa, “If the wheel runs then I can earn.” Easier said than done during monsoon season, which lasts from June through August. Thapa, among others, must now struggle to provide food and education to his family. There is a consensus among the people of Biratnagar: the amount of strikes that close down businesses must be stopped.

The place where it all started, The Biratnagar Jute Mills, is suf-fering the consequences of people giving too much voice to the government. Unfortunately, the system is still the only way that the government will hear them in a timely manner.

“Due to the strikes in Nepal, it has killed many people. Many people cannot go to their destination. Some people can’t reach their home. The sick people get stuck in the same place... people are getting problems due to strikes.”

-Kundad Thapa

The Effec ts of Strikes: the fac tories and workers of Biratnagar suffer

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Kundad Thapa (left with fam-ily; right driving a rickshaw) who used to work at the mills now must rent a rick-shaw to provide for his family. “I used to be able to man-age 1 package of rice (50 kg) a month but at present I cannot even manage 5kg.”

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Nepal Strikes - Robin Fall Photography

Laborer and fam-ily (left) from the now closed Biratna-gar Jute Mills. One of the sons of the now jobless (right) who is suffering from a bad liver. This is one of the many families who are now starving along the India/Nepal border.

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Nepal Strikes - Robin Fall Photography

Workers (left and right) at the Bi-ratnagar Match Factory which is now on the brink of clos-ing. This is one of the last in the once pros-perous industrial capital to still run. Only 20% of the ancient ma-chines are still in service as the in-stability in Nepal ocntin-ues.

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