Kathmandu, Sept 1 – Hospitality workers have taken their demand for fair pay one step further, launching a nationwide signature campaign to push the government to legalize the 10 percent service charge.

The campaign kicked off at Hotel Soaltee in Kathmandu with former Speaker and CPN (Maoist Centre) Vice-Chair Agni Sapkota as chief guest. More than 25 lawmakers, including Deputy General Secretary Shakti Basnet, signed in solidarity, showing support for the workers’ cause.

By September 7, signatures will be gathered from major cities and business hubs across all seven provinces before being submitted to the government.

The effort represents a broad range of workers in hotels, resorts, restaurants, fast food outlets, casinos, nightlife venues, cable cars, bungee jumping sites, flight catering, and party palaces—sectors where service charges play a vital role in workers’ earnings.

Although the government had pledged in its 2024/25 budget to make the 10 percent service charge legally binding, unions say little action has been taken. The collected signatures will be handed over through the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) in a united call for workers’ rights.