Udayapur Cement Workers Urge Prime Minister to Resume Factory Operation

Workers of Udayapur Cement Industry have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Chief District Officer, demanding immediate steps to bring the factory back into operation. The industry, which produces Gaida Chhap Cement, was established in 2044 BS with support from the Government of Japan and began commercial production in 2049 BS. It has been known as one of the largest cement industries in South Asia. The memorandum, signed on behalf of all employees and workers by coordinator Devendra Jha and member secretary Bir Bahadur Karki, mentions various reasons behind the decline and closure of the industry, including budgetary problems, managerial weaknesses, national-level disruptions and shortage of skilled manpower.

The memorandum states that court orders and frozen bank accounts have further deepened the problem. It mentions that cement worth Rs 60 million is at risk of being damaged because it could not be packed in bags, while Rs 60 million remains frozen at Rastriya Banijya Bank. Workers have also claimed that they have not received salaries for 15 months, provident fund deposits for 45 months, Citizen Investment Trust deposits for 35 months and premium insurance payments for three years. The workers have put forward seven demands, including payment of pending dues, release of frozen bank funds to save the stored cement, revival and operation of the industry, management free from political interference, resolution of court restrictions and loans, renewal of mining permits, and insurance coverage before deploying workers at the workplace. They warned that if their demands are ignored, local stakeholders and workers will be forced to launch a strong movement.