PRIME MINISTER GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA accepted the resignation by Maoist leader and Forest Minister Matrika Yadav on Friday (August 10). Koirala accepted the resignation, which was tendered a week ago by Yadav, with the consent of Maoist leadership. According to Information and Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, another Maoist Minister Dev Gurung, who currently holds the portfolio of Local Development, will take over the reins of Forest and Soil Conservation Ministry for the time being. Yadav had refused to withdraw his resignation despite request from the Maoist leadership.
THE UNITED STATES HAS DONATED $3 million dollars to support the Constituent Assembly election in Nepal, U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell announced on Friday (August 10). “The funds are specifically designated for election ballots, demonstrating continued US support to Nepal, its Election Commission, and the democratic transition,” states a press release by the US embassy. "The United States is pleased to provide this support to help Nepal hold its Constituent Assembly election on November 22," said Ambassador Powell. "This election is central to Nepal's successful democratic transition." In separate meetings, the Ambassador informed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel of the new US funding for the ballot papers. “The $3 million donation is in addition to the US Agency for International Development's (USAID) current $3.8 million program in support of the upcoming elections in Nepal,” the statement said.
THE US AMBASSADOR TO NEPAL NANCY J. POWELL presented credentials to the Prime Minister on Thursday (August 9) at a special function in Singh Durbar. Following the restoration of democracy, PM Koirala, who is also head of state, has been receiving credentials from foreign diplomats. Earlier, envoys used to present their credentials to the king. Powell replaces Moriarty as new US ambassador. Meanwhile, North Korean Ambassador Jang Young Chol also presented his credentials to the PM on Thursday in a separate function.
THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT has decided that only Nepali or Malaysian citizens should now be appointed as security guards. This decision will open up 100,000 more job opportunities for Nepali workers. At present, there are 300,000 Nepali workers in Malaysia – 30,000 working as security guards. The Malaysian government has directed the employers there to replace guards of other nationalities with Nepalis. The government decision came in the wake of reports of rape of a lady by a Pakistani guard.
THE MANAGEMENT OF DABUR NEPAL has warned that the multi-national company could return from Nepal for good. It has said that if the Maoist-affiliated workers do not allow the resumption of production within 15 days, it will leave the country. The pro-Maoist workers have stalled its production facility in Bara since Friday. The talks between management and workers facilitated by Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry could not succeed on Sunday (August 12). “It is highly irresponsible for them to close down factory when the management had said that it will decide on their issues through talks within four days,” said senior general manager Sanwar Pal Malhotra. “Our position is, first production then only negotiation,” he said, adding that such disturbances by the Maoist workers won’t let MNCs function. The Maoist workers have demanded that 65 workers working in loading-unloading section should be made permanent. The Dabur has said that the obstruction in production has led to losses of Rs 30 million per day. At the Bara’s production unit, Dabur Nepal has employed 640 workers. The company has given direct and indirect employment to 50,000 people in the country. Following strike by the Maoist-affiliated workers, the Dabur Nepal factory in Lipnimal, Bara had been closed from Friday (August 10) for an indefinite period. The factory management said it shut the factory down after the Dabur Nepal Workers’ Union affiliated to the Maoists All Nepal Trade Union Federation called on indefinite strike. Shiv Lal Chhetri, president of the union said that the union called on the indefinite strike as the factory management did not pay attention to their demands. However, the factory management alleged the workers’ union that they suddenly called the strike despite their readiness to fulfill the workers’ demands in four days. “Since the managers were out of Birgunj, four days time was sought for the discussion at high level to fulfill the workers’ demand,” the management said. The workers’ union alleged that the agreement reached a year ago to give permanent appointment to 65 temporary workers has not yet been carried out. Their other demands include life insurance for the workers, upgradation of the workers’ facilities and the uniform. The management informed that the factory’s export stands nearly at four billion rupees yearly. The company pays Rs 400 million tax to the government.
