Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), affiliated to the Nepali Congress, organised a rally from Tripureshwor to Bashantapur, where it turned into a mass gathering. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala also attended the mass meet.

The General Federations of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), another major labour organisation affiliated to the CPN-UML, also organised a rally. GEFONT President Bishnu Rimal addressed the concluding event of the rally.

All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), affiliated to UCPN (Maoist) too held a rally from Ratna Park. The union said it refrained from organising multiple events due to the UCPN (Maoist) national convention in Biratnagar. Leaders of the union addressed the rally.

The CPN-Maoist-aligned trade union too organised a mass meet at Santi Batika in Ratna Park, Kathmandu. Senior party leader Netra Bikram Chand addressed the meet.

The Confederation of Nepalese Professionals (CoNEP), a professional association close to the CPN-UML, hosted an event at Nepal Academy Hall in Kamaladi, Kathmandu. CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal addressed the event.

Stakeholders demanded minimum wages and social security during various events organised nationwide. They also urged that workers’ rights, including social security, be guaranteed through the constitution.

The government has already devised social security plans for workers, covering accidents at workplace, maternity protection, facilities during the illness and medical treatment facilities. The government is also planning five more similar plans. However, due to the absence of Labour Act

and Social Security Act, the social security provisions have not been implemented yet.

May Day is celebrated all over the world in the commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886, when the Chicago police fired on workers during a general strike, demanding eight-hour working days, killing several demonstrators.

More than 80 countries across the globe mark the day on May 1 simultaneously. Most of the countries, including Nepal, have a provision of a general holiday on May 1.

On the occasion, PM Koirala congratulated the labours spread across the nation and abroad.