KATHMANDU: Jagat Simkhada, President of the All Nepal Trade Union Federation ANTUF has accused rising populism of eroding workers’ rights and urged the labor movement to prepare for a renewed phase of struggle.

Speaking on the occasion of the 137th International Workers’ Day, Simkhada reflected on the historic contributions of labor movements while expressing serious concern over current challenges facing workers.

Recalling the 1886 Chicago labor movement that established the principle of eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for recreation, he described it as a historic victory for the working class. “This is not merely a celebration but a day symbolizing labor’s triumph over capital,” he said.

Simkhada noted that Nepal’s labor movement has evolved beyond wage related struggles, tracing its roots from the Biratnagar Jute Mill movement to the People’s War and subsequent mass movements. However, he alleged that workers’ rights are now facing renewed threats from right wing forces.

He criticized recent actions such as the eviction of informal settlements in Kathmandu and attempts to restrict trade unions, describing them as reflections of “fascist tendencies.”

Simkhada also rejected the growing narrative that politics and trade unions are unnecessary, calling it a new form of “broker capitalism.” He emphasized that fundamental labor rights would not have been secured without union movements.

Highlighting emerging challenges, he warned that workers are being made increasingly vulnerable under the digital economy and gig economy models. Ride sharing drivers, online workers and outsourced laborers he said, are being pushed outside legal protections and risk becoming “modern day slaves.”

He further accused the government of failing to adequately address the plight of Nepali migrant workers and called for the state to take a leading role as a primary employer while ensuring full labor protection.

Simkhada put forward several demands, including the repeal of certain provisions of the Labor Act, mandatory implementation of social security schemes for all workers, scientific revision of minimum wages, guaranteed access to education and healthcare and measures to control inflation along with relief packages.

Concluding his remarks, he warned that the movement would expand from the streets to the parliament if necessary and called for unity among workers to build an exploitation free society.