ENFORCE THE DECISION
The Kathmandu Post
6 May 2018
ENFORCE
THE DECISION
During the last two decades, both
the country and the people had to suffer because of frequent street protests
and strikes called by major political parties and their sister wings. The Essential
Service Operation Act 2014 was not properly implemented in the past due to
unstable governments resulting in country losing billions of revenues during
bandh. They completely failed to stop such protests and strikes. Even some
seriously sick people and pregnant women died on the way to hospitals owing to such
unwanted acts of the irresponsible political parties and their cadres. Many
protesters and security personnel lost their lives. Many four wheelers and two
wheelers were burnt down by the protesters.
Steps by the government to ban
all kinds of strike by essential service providers with immediate effect are
welcome (“Govt bans essential service
disruption” April 25, page 1). Essential services include telephone, public
transport, printing, internal security, water supply, tourism services,
petroleum products supply, health services, waste management, banking,
insurance, electricity and distribution of materials of daily use. It was a
timely decision of the government to thwart the upcoming indefinite strike
called by transport entrepreneurs against the government’s decision to end
syndicate in the public transport sector.
The government also seems to be
thinking about putting an end to syndicates in the taxi services in the near
future to completely stop the malpractices of drivers bargaining rates from
passengers by refusing to use the meter. Likewise, it is also considering
quashing frequent strikes by the drivers and owners of oil tankers that ferry
oil across the country. Both the government and the concerned organizations
need to find out alternative ways to express their concerns and
dissatisfactions related to their services. It is yet to be seen whether this
government will be able to fully implement its decision to ban syndicates in
the transport sector in the days to come.
Ray
Brien Banged
Maharajgunj
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2018-05-06/enforce-the-decision.html
