July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.

The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.

Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.

“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.

There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.

Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.