--By Angila Sharma

 

Ironically, the most ostentatiously and commonly celebrated festival in this land of festivities is the General Strike, popularly  called as “Banda”. When one or another group calls a Banda, people get terrorized and stay home instead of going to the workplaces or the market. But inside their home, they are full of celebration with the family. But the resulting production loss costs the economy Rs. 3 billion per day, according to a simple estimate based on the total annual GDP of the country. However, those days of Bandas are likely gone if the political parties stick to their promise made in their manifestos for the recently held election for the Constituent Assembly. Added to that is an order issued by the Supreme Court before the elections against any Banda. Also the private sector came out strongly against the Banda and decided to defy the 10 day banda called by the CPN-Maoist led 33-party alliance.  

 

The Nepalis were forced to face a total of 95 days bandhs in 2012. 

 

Wiping out the word ‘Banda’- How?

 

How is the corporate sector, in particular, taking a lead to say no to bandas? NBA sought answers to this question from four experts from the corporate sector: 

 

“Politicians must stay firm on the words they speak”

 

Pradeep Jung Pandey 

Vice-President, FNCCI

 

Yes, it is true that the trend of defying Banda in Nepal is now slowly catching up and the recent opposition to 10 days strike was an example to this. Our country is already in a stage of economic crisis which ultimately is giving rise to problems like unemployment. If politicians still tend to call general strikes, strict action should be taken against them. Parties should be responsible for their actions. 

 

In the future, if strikes are called, people themselves will boycott them. Strikes will no longer be accepted by people anymore. Strikes have negative consequences on the economy resulting in loss of billions every day. Similarly, strike also obstructs individual’s right to live freely. As such, strikes should be completely avoided in Nepal and this should be one major outcome of the recently conducted CA elections. Likewise, while the government and the private sector are putting their best to say ‘no’ to strikes, the common people should also be aware about their rights and be able to  rais ethier voice if such rights are infringed. 

 

 

 

“Unity is strength”

 

Pabitra Bajracharya

President, Retailers’ Association

 

To prevent further strikes in the economy, every individual should play his/her part well. Not only the private sector, but the government as well as other associations should also work hand in hand to prevent further strikes in Nepal. It is high time that people learn to differentiate between right and wrong and take appropriate action. As such, it is more than important that all the associations come together and take a stand against strikes. Unity is strength and we need to prove this through our actions. Regarding the parties and their manifestos, the ones who have talked about no more strikes will surely bring it in practice which will ultimately make our work easier.

 

At this stage of time, we can only believe in their words and expect them to do walk their talk. Strikes have no positive consequence and it is better that the politicians understand it before it is too late. Strikes lead to loss of time, money and effort of all the people which is not good for the economy. 

 

 

“Strong Governance- the only solution to strikes”

 

Manoj Kedia

Vice-President, Spokesperson, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)

 

Corporate Sector can always defy strikes. They can address such issues and take them to the public. However, corporate sector alone is not enough to bring a complete stop to such practices. As such, the government must be strong. If the government is strong, we won’t be facing any more of such problems. Strong governance is the only solution to the problem of strikes in Nepal.

 

It is good that some political parties have mentioned about discarding the practice of calling strikes in the future, however, there is always a risk of strikes. It is high-time political parties realize that they are torturing people economically and psychologically by organizing strikes frequently. As such, political parties should not call for strikes. Rather, they should talk to the concerned authority or ministry regarding their view on the issues they want to raise or call attention to. As a whole, I strongly believe that strong governance is the ultimate solution to stop further strikes as it is the responsibility of the government to ensure security to the citizens.

 

 

 

“Strike will be history”

 

Yogendranath Karmacharya

President, National Transport Entrepreneurs Federation Nepal

 

We, as an association, never call for strikes. We highly understand that people require transportation; it is their day-to-day necessity. Regarding the calling of strikes in the future, I don’t think there will be any more of strikes. The Constituent Assembly election was peacefully conducted and it seems that everything will go right in the country now. In this scenario, the people are quite hopeful. Right before the elections, the political leaders themselves met people through their ghar-dailo (door-to-door) campaign and so, they are very well aware of the problems faced by the people. So, I believe that strikes will now be a history in Nepal.