NATIONAL Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad yesterday accused Government of “wrecking the trade union movement, the workers and the trade union harmony”‘ in the country.
He made the comment while debating the review of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations 2014, 2015 and 2016 annual reports.
Prof Prasad said it was easy for Government to say trade unions weren’t taking part in tripartite discussions and were boycotting the employment relations advisory board.
He called on the Government to have an honest discussion on where the country was heading.
“They are lying here,” he said.
“They have been lying about the trade unions movement, they have been lying about trade unions rights and they have been lying all the places.
“The trade unions in this country have been applying for peaceful marches, they have not even bothered to give a reason on why the permits of marches have not been granted by this Government.
“And they expect the trade union leaders to go and sit at the trade unions advisory boards.
“There are laws, including the Employment Relations Act and Political Parties Decree which actually limit the rights of trade union leaders.”
The NFP leader said the onus was on the Government to bring the trade union leaders and trade union movement into discussion.
“I urge the government ministers not to lie about why they are not there.
“They are not there because you have not engaged with them in good faith.”
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the ERAB was open to every participant.
“The unions for political reasons have refused to participate,” he said.
