Attack on Trade Unions in Nepal is also an attack on peoples’ right to Quality Public Services

 Date: 11 May, 2026

 Public Services International (PSI) reiterates the demand that the Government of Nepal immediately and unconditionally withdraws its unlawful decision to ban trade unions who represent workers delivering public services.

 The illegal decision of Nepal’s new government to ban trade unions in selected areas is both a grave violation of trade union rights and an attack on quality public services.

In recent days the government appears to be issuing ordinances to targeted unions in multiple sectors. Civil Services Unions, Healthcare Unions as well as Water Supply Unions have been targeted.  Consequently, formal complaints to international institutions have been made.

 PSI’s experience globally tells us that governments attack public service unions when they intend to privatise and reduce public services. Public service workers and their unions have long proud histories of defending public services against corporate interests, against corrupt attempts to profit from people’s services and assets, and against billionaires and the elite from controlling public policy making.  There is clear global evidence that higher union density reduces inequality, limits billionaire power, improves public health and increases access to public services.

PSI issued a joint statement with other Global Unions in April reminding the government of their obligations, condemning the violations and committing to take all necessary steps at the international level in defence of the fundamental rights of unions in Nepal.

We reminded the government that Nepal has ratified ILO Convention No. 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining) which, together with the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, guarantee all workers — including workers who deliver public services — the right to form and join organisations of their own choosing, free from government interference. All member states of the ILO are bound by the core conventions. These bans are a clear and direct breach of these obligations.

These ordinances also violate Nepal’s own Constitution. Articles 34 and 35 of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) explicitly guarantee the right to form trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. This executive action to ban trade unions is constitutionally unlawful.

PSI will continue to support its affiliates to organise workers who deliver public services to achieve decent work and to defend vital public services against private interests. And we will use our international position and the solidarity of our 30 million affiliated members worldwide to challenge attacks on our affiliates.

In solidarity,

Kate Lappin,

Regional Secretary, PSI Asia Pacific