KATHMANDU: Three private sector representing bodies in the country have said that the raised minimum wage to workers, which is being implemented from Shrawan 1, cannot be implemented if the second wave of the COVID-19 prolongs and continue to impact businesses and the economy further.
Issuing a joint press statement today, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), said that more than 700,000 businesses across 54 districts have been affected due to the ongoing prohibitory order.
“As businesses are already finding it difficult to make regular payment to workers, we cannot implement the new (increased) minimum wage if situation further deteriorates,” reads the press statement.
Moreover, FNCCI, CNI and NCC also said that increment of wage to workers is untimely and might also impact foreign investors/investment in Nepal.
The government has increased minimum wage of domestic labourers from Rs 13,450 per month to Rs 15,000. The raise will come into effect from the start of the new fiscal year.