UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged workers to pile pressure on the concerned authorities to resume operation of the industries that have remained shut across the country. 

Addressing a mass gathering held by the All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) to mark the International Workers' Day in the Capital on Sunday, the Maoist chief said the ANTUF is required to keep strong vigilance on the tendencies to shut industries in different pretextsm which he argued does nothing but to force the country towards dependency. 

Referring to the closure of many industries including Janakpur Cigarette Factory that forced the country towards total dependency and bankruptcy, Dahal said workers should come forward for the development of the country alongside the implementation of the new constitution. 

He also stressed the need to come up with a clear agenda on various rights of workers like the right to social security and on resolving problems related to labour. 

Saying that many Nepali people are forced to toil in foreign land in lack of job opportunities at home with many of them often facing a lack of self esteem there, he said that employment opportunities should be generated at home to check labour flow into foreign countries and for the development of the country as well. 

On a different note, he said that there is no alternative for all parties to stand together for a consensus and national unity for post-quake reconstructions. 

Likewise, Dahal said the disgruntled Madhesi, indigenous and Janajatis want their concerns to be addressed through amendment to the constitution and his party is ready to take leadership to that end. 

Also speaking on the occasion, UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha and ANTUF Chairman Shalikram Jamarkattel said that positive support and cooperation from workers is imperative for the effective implementation of socialism-oriented constitution. RSS