Plight Of Agriculture Workers
Urgency For Redress

By Rajkumar K.C

DEVELOPMENT of a country largely depends upon agriculture or industrial productivity. The level of productivity determines the economic growth. In a country like Nepal, where more than 85 per cent of people are involved in agriculture, the role of workers, whether they are farmers or wage earners is highly significant in many respects. Around six million rural agricultural workers who constitute 80-85 per cent of total labour force in the country are still in the state of negligence. Despite their huge contributions, they are grossly unaccounted in the national economy.

Even the concerned office of His Majesty’s Government does not have any statistics of agricultural workers. Moreover, politically fragmented trade unions here sound reluctant to work for these workers in unorganised sector.

On the one hand organising workers in the agricultural sector is not easy, on the other lack of awareness, poverty and influx of workers across the border has intensified the problem. Of course, there are number of problems in the agriculture workers. Even trade unions have set aside this sector as a different issue.

In fact, the problem does not lie with agriculture workers alone, even the workers in the organised sectors are the victims of multifaceted problems such as wage, health and safety and security. The government does not have any concrete programmes to support labour and trade unionists are also politically motivated.

Trade unionists often blame the government for doing nothing in safeguarding the interests of workers even in the organised sector.

The Labour Act –2048, which was introduced, a couple of years ago has not been effective to address the real problem of workers even in the organized sectors such as -construction, manufacturing and hotel. The Act is almost silent about agricultural workers.

Though the government had introduced the system of minimum wage for rural agricultural workers some two years before, it has not been effectively implemented in many parts of the country. Workers in agriculture are getting the same amount of wage as they used to receive some ten years ago.

It is a great irony that even after the implementation of the new wage system to the agricultural workers they are not getting the wage of sixty rupees per day (eight hours). And it seems that the Department of Labour is not bothered about it.

Nepal’s multi-structural geography, in which more than 83 per cent is covered by the hilly and mountainous region is dominated by agriculture where around 60 per cent total labour force exist. The remaining 40 per cent labour force is in the Terai region.

The agricultural sector, which has 38 per cent contribution in the total economy, is afflicted by the traditional system of employing workers mainly in the terai sector.

On the one hand, agricultural workers are still not paid according to the government’s new rule, on the other Nepalese workers have no options other than accepting a very nominal amount of wage because of a fear of being replaced by the workers from across the border as they are cheaper than Nepalese workers.

If the government and trade unionists were serious about tackling the issue of rural agricultural workers, the socio-economic problems in the country would not have been so complicated today. Had the focus of rural agricultural workers were on economy the disparity between rich and poor would not be so alarming.

However, the government since the last couple of years seemed to be more concerned and is committed to work for safeguarding the rights of workers both in both organised and unorganised sectors including the agriculture.

Besides, the government has taken initiatives for the effective implementation of the Labour Act -2048.

Nepal has signed most of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and is committed for uplift of labour as well. However, nothing seems to have done in practice so far.

It is said that the Department of Labour (DoL) does nothing except keeping records of workers going abroad for blue colour job. And trade unions are not well equipped too. In fact they are confined to the urban areas where they have better access to the donor agencies.

The rural agriculture workers are facing several problems including health and minimum wage.

According to a statistics, more than two million agricultural workers are wage earners and around one million are farmers as well as wage earners. The number of families involved in agriculture is around 3.6 million.

The ILO has been providing Nepal a substantial cooperation to support workers in the real sense. But ILO’s huge support has also failed to uplift workers to a desired extent. As most of its (ILO’s) support go through local NGOs and trade unions, there is always a high chance of leakages of such support in reality.

Most of the non-government organisations (NGOs) are not serious towards their objectives despite ILO’s cooperation. In many cases NGOs are mis-utilising the support being rendered by donor agencies in the name of child and bonded labour.

If the government, trade unions and NGOs were serious towards safeguarding the interest of workers it would enhance their confidence as a result of which national productivity would get a boost.

There is no doubt that the workers in organized sectors are making significant contributions in accelerating economic growth, but the role of agriculture workers in nation building is equally important.

However, the situation of workers in the organized sectors is not satisfactory and the overall picture of labour in agriculture sector is more pathetic. The problem of agriculture workers is not the problem of trade unions or DoL alone, the civil society should also be vigilant whether the workers are receiving the optimum cost of their toil or not. On top of that the real trade union movement in the country becomes almost paralyzed by keeping the agriculture workers aside. Hence concerned authorities and trade unionists should be more conscious about safeguarding the interests of agriculture workers. Even if some changes take place in the Labour Act, it should be for the larger interest of workers. Any amendment in the Act should address the problems in the labour sector.

On the occasion of National Day of Japan
Nepal-Japan Ties Developing

By Arun Ranjit

ONE of the most densely populated countries in the world, Japan an island country comprising four major islands, many small island chains and thousands of smaller islands lying off the eastern coast of the Asian continent stretches in a narrow arc of 3,800 kilometres long with adverse natural conditions, extreme climate, unhospitable topography, earthquakes and tidal waves.

Poorly endowed with natural resources with a population of nearly 126 million in a relatively small area of 377,819 square kilometres, the Japanese have built an ultra-modern economy through many industries.

Despite these limiting conditions and the devastation to its manufacturing base during World War II, Japan has managed not only to rebuild its economy but to become one of the world’s leading industrial nations.

This rise and relative consistency in the standard of living has produced a strong middle class among the Japanese. Widespread ownership of cars and various household appliances signify the improvement in the quality of life.

An average citizen spends many hours at work. S/he usually has a home quite far away from the place of his/her calling. Thus, they spend a lot of time commuting to and from work. Also, the Japanese tradition of entertaining business clients after work often eats into his leisure time. All this go to strengthen the image of a Japanese employee as one of who is affluent yet overworked and stressed.

Industry has received a tremendous boost because of the large educated workforce available. However, the economic progress of the seventies and eighties has brought about a sharp decline in birthrates. This has made Japanese people’s average life expectancies very high. Rapid economic growth has had its impact on family life and people are living in nuclear families. As a result, a greater number of elderly people now live on their own. However, the good medical and social welfare system of Japan has geared up to meet this additional challenge.

The lifestyles of Japanese have also transformed tremendously by widespread use of modern household appliances, rapid expansions of instant and frozen-food industries and the availability of readymade clothing and other daily necessities.

Japan’s industrial development has eventually led to a shortage of labour, which in turn has encouraged illegal staying of the people mostly from developing countries.

Japan today is a thriving complex of industry, commerce, finance and agriculture. The nation is in an advanced stage of industrialisation, served by a massive flow of information and highly developed transportation and technology networks.

Despite having economic contacts with the whole world, Japan is preserving its own cultural identity. Various festivals like New Year festival, which is celebrated as the biggest event on the Japanese calendar, Setsbun, Doll, Tanabata, Bon, Agricultural, Gion, Okunchi, Tenjin, Kanda and Nebuta form a large part of fun loving in Japan’s social life. Also Tea ceremony and Ikebana are the well-known age-old culture of Japan.

Japan is apparently waging a battle against cultural invasion, particularly from the West. But with increasing contacts with the world and the perennial increase in affluence, it is very difficult for them. This could be experienced from the visit to Shinjuku or Ginza in Tokyo after the twilight hours where thousands of young men and women acquaint themselves with.

The policy adopted by Nepal’s democratic government in the direction of liberalisation and globalisation have excited the Japanese businessmen too. The fast expanding Nepalese middle class, low wages, educated workforce and democratic system make this country a good place for the Japanese to visit or invest.

Today, Nepal is listed as a main recipient of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) which is being provided to more than 150 developing countries of the globe. Japan ranks first in the list of assistance providing countries to this tiny Himalayan nation. Japan is not only providing financial cooperation but also making personnel contributions by sending experts and members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV).

As many Japanese seem to have little knowledge about Nepal, the government and people should campaign to attract the Japanese tourists to visit Nepal.

Nepal is the birth place of Lord Buddha. However, the predominant religion in Japan today is Buddhism. The noble life of Buddha and his teaching have brought the people of both the countries closer. The teaching of Buddhism has dominant influences on the Japanese way of life where about 90 million among nearly 126 million populations follow Buddhism. The people have great respect for elders and reverence to Buddhism. They are preserving the tradition of close family ties. Lord Buddha’s teaching of peace, compassion and non-violence have always been a source of inspirations for the people of the two countries.

Nepal and Japan have a long standing historical and diplomatic good relation. Both the countries have constitutional monarchies as the head of the respective Kingdoms which is considered as the symbol of national unity.

Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan in 1956, the relationship of two countries has been cordial and friendly. The exchange of visits by the Royal family members as well as the high government officials, political leaders and the people from the various levels have also enhanced more closer and better understanding of goodwill towards each other.

The similarities in many issues between the two countries have also contributed much in strengthening the relationships between Nepal and Japan.

The regular air service of Nepal’s national carrier Royal Nepal Airlines’ to the Japanese city of Osaka has helped in strengthening the mutual cooperation.

Despite the high volume of assistance being received from Japan, cooperation in the should be sought for promoting socio-cultural ties, exploring natural resources, age-old arts and culture in days to come.

The closer contact with Japan would not only enrich Nepalese economy but also help in life style. It would serve as a cleansing influence on our polluted environment and filthy public places. It would also uplift our national character and refine our religious sensitivity. It would also bring home to us the vital differences between socialism and social justice.

The government of Japan has succeeded in maintaining and promoting the relation with Nepal in the highest level. The ties between the two countries have withstood the test of time and always have been warm and friendly. Such a development would no doubt serve the cause of peace and stability in the Nepal-Japan’s decade long relations. Let’s hope the growing sprit of cooperation will pave the way for a new era of peace and prosperity.

Today on the Auspicious Birthday of Emperor Akihito of Japan which is also celebrated as a National Day by the Japanese people, the relation of Nepal and Japan may grow from strength to strength at government and people’s level in the days to come and reach at glorious height for the progress, prosperity and peace of the people of both the countries.

Long live Nepal-Japan friendship.

Kids’ Samaritans And the Putanas

By Bhimsen Thapaliya

THE world was longing for good examples shown to the children and one of them was found in Nepal.

When the international community was celebrating the year of the children with kind-hearted advocacy and plans to improve the lots of the innocent and tender population, a mother with a heart of flint dumped her infant into a waste container just after giving birth to it. She was possessed by a Putana-like demonic bent and symbolised a daunting challenge to all the noble ideas charted out by the world for the good of the children. Fortunately, that was not the end of the story.

There also was a kind hearted Samaritan in the same society who picked up the ‘waste kid’ from the heap of refuse and gave all the motherly warmth. The unimaginable force of cruelty was defeated and a precious life was saved. The high hopes for the children’s world was kept alive. The message was delivered: leaving aside one or two exceptions bent to nip humanity in its bud, the world at large is willing to save children. Taking a cue from this glowing case in Nepal, the world has every reason to be proud in the wake of the International Children’s Day.

It was the usual chilly morning on November 20. An old woman was in the premises of Kathmandu’s Sankata temple for early morning prayers. According to a news report, she found a female infant dumped in a nearby garbage container. Bundled in a piece of white cloth, it was moving and breathing. The pious woman saw real Goddess in the infant and took her in her lap. She named her Devi (Goddess). Perhaps, Gauthali Giri was most probably not aware of the International Children’s Day. However, her love for a discarded infant was adding meaning to the day. She was one of the true participants from Nepal in the day’s celebrations.

In Nepalese religious epic, Putana is a woman assigned to perform satanic actions against infants. To make sure that newly born Lord Krishna was not spared as per the demonic decree, she moves from house to house feeding every infant her poison tainted breasts.

It is disheartening to see mothers and others acting in league with Putana these days, posing great threat to children. There are the gruesome stories of cruelty done to the emerging life both inside and outside the womb. With heart-rending episodes of abuses, abandonment, exploitation and gross insecurity, it seems children are the largest community in the world under risk. And the salvaging spirit of Gauthali Giri is a powerful antithesis against all these threats. The mother from Nepal is a great inspiration to individuals, teams and institutions all over the world who have vowed and devoted themselves to improve the fate of children.

Over a year ago, it was reported in the local media that a mother admitted an ailing kid in the capital’s children’s hospital and never returned. In another case, a parent left a child in a rented room and vanished, putting the house owner in difficulty. Moral decadence appears to be more responsible for increasing number of parent-discarded orphans rather than poverty. Therefore, remedy lies both in poverty elimination and renaissance of culture where a child is seen as God. There is so much to be learned from Gauthali Giri.

With the exemplary rescue of Devi from waste heap, this country should feel that the International Children’s Day is best celebrated.