The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security has transferred Under Secretary Prem Prasad Sanjel from Labor and Employment Office Biratnagar less than three months after being transferred there for trying to take action against five industries close to the ruling CPN.
Sanjel had started to monitor whether the new Labor Act that came into effect from August 17 was implemented in the district immediately after taking charge at the office. He started with five big industries--Aarti Strips, Anand Brick Factory, Dugar Spices and Foods, Kwality Foods and Tricot Industries.
Proprietor of Dugar Spices and Food Moti Dugar is House of Representatives (HoR) member elected through proportional system from CPN, owner of Anand Dilip Bagadiya is mayor of Rangeli municipality elected on CPN ticket, and Kavara Group that owns Kwality, Golyan Group that owns Tricon and Bhushan Group of India also have political connections.
Sanjel found that all the five industries have not implemented the minimum salary fixed by the government and warned of action if it were not implemented within a month. The ministry handed him a letter on December 20 transferring him to Vocational and Skill Development Training Center, Itahari even as he was preparing to take action.
The new Labor Act has set a minimum monthly salary of Rs 8,455, dearness allowance of Rs 4,995, and has provision of medical insurance worth Rs 100,000 and accident insurance of Rs 700,000 for workers. It also provides the holidays that the civil servants get.
"On monitoring of the five big industries, I found that they have not implemented minimum salary, provided dearness allowance, and not got the workers insured," Sanjel told Setopati. "I warned those industries of action after finding that a worker whose teeth were broken after a cut in the cheek while working in the factory was not treated."
He claimed that he has been transferred as he did not compromise with anyone on implementation of minimum salary. "I had tried to implement the Labor Act in all the companies in the district providing employment starting with these five industries. But the minister and secretary did not allow me to work," he added.
He claimed that he has ended many malpractices in his office in the short time he has been there. "There was practice of industrialists, businessmen and employers giving money and even vehicles to influence the office. But I ended that. I did not allow a single staffer in my office to take bribes," he stated.
He argued that his transfer is illegal as the Civil Service Act prohibits transfer from any geographical area in less than two years. Staffers can, however, be transferred before that by clearly mentioning the reasons in the transfer letter. But the transfer letter Sanjel received does not give any reason, and merely mentions that he has been transferred to another office for work.
Labor Ministry claimed that Sanjel has been sent on deputation and not transferred. Labor Secretary Mahesh Dahal commented that Sanjel's performance was not satisfactory and accused him of trying to work by violating the rules, systems and processes of the ministry. "The ministry can deploy its staffers anywhere," he argued.
Sanjel said he will not accept the illegal transfer. "I will not accept such transfer even if I die. I will move the court instead," he stated. "I am ready to lose my job if I have to while working for the Nepali people, workers, and promoting good governance."
