KATHMANDU, May 5, 2026
The Government of Nepal has permanently dissolved civil service trade unions through a newly issued ordinance. Following the President's approval of the 'Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts,' party-affiliated unions within the civil service are now officially prohibited. To address professional grievances in the absence of unions, a new mechanism has been introduced where employee complaints must be addressed within 15 days
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While various employee organizations have threatened protests and announced strike programs, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has defended the decision as a necessity for institutional reform. He stated that the ordinance aims to bring the country back on an institutional track by removing partisan influence from bureaucracy and schools. "Our effort is simply this: let students learn politics from teachers, not from crowds of leaders. Let employees seek the law, not the shadow of a leader," PM Shah remarked.
The Prime Minister emphasized that banning party flags in bureaucracy does not strip employees of their rights but rather strengthens professional independence. He argued that appointments, transfers, and promotions should henceforth be based on merit, capacity, and efficiency rather than political proximity. Describing the move as an effort to save the system and the future, he called for students to engage in the politics of civilization and ideas and for civil servants to focus solely on public service.