ITUC-Asia Pacific stands in full solidarity with ITUC–Nepal Affiliated Council (ITUC-NAC), which has taken a principled stance in defence of democracy, justice, and workers’ rights after the 8 September Gen Z protests. It underscores ITUC-NAC’s call for democratic renewal and systemic reforms that place workers’ rights, decent jobs, and social protection at the centre of Nepal’s recovery.
“With Nepal now facing political and constitutional uncertainty, lasting stability requires democratic renewal and systemic reforms that deliver for the working people. The struggle now is to build a Nepal where democracy protects workers, guarantees justice, and creates opportunities for all,” Shoya Yoshida said.
ITUC-Asia Pacific also expresses its heartfelt solidarity with thousands of workers who lost their jobs and livelihoods resulting from the violent attacks on various establishments and infrastructures.
“In this critical moment, the interim government must put the workers’ agenda in its priorities. Decent work, social protection, and respect for trade union rights are not optional. They are the foundation of recovery and stability. Protecting jobs and ensuring security for workers and their families is essential if Nepal is to rebuild trust in democracy and governance,” Shoya Yoshida asserted.
The protests of 8 September, led by Nepal’s young people, reflected frustration with corruption, unemployment, and nepotism, all of which undermine democracy and deny opportunities for working people. Seventy-four people lost their lives during the protests, and most of them are young people.
ITUC-Asia Pacific joins ITUC-NAC in paying tribute to them, extends its deepest condolences to their families, and wishes a full recovery to those injured. “While we sympathise with the families of the bereaved, we strongly condemn the violence and destruction that followed, which cost the lives of young people, harmed communities, and robbed many tens of thousands workers of their jobs and livelihoods,” Shoya Yoshida said.
The ITUC-Asia Pacific Youth Committee also voiced strong support for Nepal’s trade unions and youth.
“We stand with our affiliates in Nepal who are courageously defending democracy, decent work, and social justice. We, trade unions, believe that young people are also workers whose voices must be heard. The path forward is not violence and repression but dialogue, accountability, and respect for fundamental freedoms,” Dr Zoë Port, ITUC-Asia Pacific Youth Committee Chair, said.
ITUC-NAC has called on Nepal’s interim government to fulfil its mandate to hold elections by 5 March 2026 and to ensure that this process strengthens democracy.
At the same time, ITUC-Asia Pacific echoes ITUC-NAC’s demands to uphold constitutional rights, comply with international labour and human rights standards, protect jobs and livelihoods, and guarantee accountability. Meeting these obligations requires concrete measures to eradicate systemic corruption, incorporate workers’ and youth voices in decision-making, safeguard trade union and human rights, and establish an impartial investigation into the loss of life and the violence that unfolded.
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