KATHMANDU: The hotel workers’ union affiliated with the All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), close to the Nepali Communist Party has won the workers’ organisation election at Solti Hotel in Kathmandu.

The election, held after a gap of nearly seven years, attracted keen interest from hotel-sector workers and was seen as a significant moment for labour politics in the hospitality industry.

According to the final results, the ANTUF-backed panel secured 75 votes to take first place. The workers’ organisation affiliated with the Nepali Congress came second with 67 votes, while the CPN-UML aligned union finished third with 20 votes.

Following the result, Suman Maharjan has been elected as president of the workers’ organisation. The newly elected committee is expected to prioritise issues related to workers’ rights, service benefits and overall labour welfare at Solti Hotel.

Kumar Panta, President of All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union (ANHRWU)  described the election as a message of workers’ unity, noting that labour organisations close to the Maoist movement have historically enjoyed strong support in the hotel sector.

This latest victory is being viewed by analysts as a continuation of long-standing labour mobilisation among hotel workers. Union representatives say the organisation’s campaign for the restoration of a 10% service charge for hotel workers played a key role in attracting voter support.

Labour leaders have termed the outcome “the beginning of a victory march”, stating that they will now intensify efforts to ensure a dignified working environment, social security and stronger labour rights for hotel workers.

The result is expected to reshape labour politics in the hotel sector, bringing renewed balance and activism.

Madhav Pandey, deputy general secretary of ANTUF, said the high participation and competitive nature of the election had helped strengthen internal democracy within the workers’ movement.