Government writes to employers to pay workers festival allowance equal to one month's salary

The Department of Labour and Occupational Safety, under the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment, has directed that workers be paid the festival expense allowance they are entitled to by law. The department has written to umbrella organizations of the private sector for this purpose.

The letter states that workers should be given an amount equal to one month's salary for the festival season. The department said the letter was sent to major private-sector institutions to ensure effective implementation of the legal provision under Section 37 of the Labour Act, 2074 BS.

The department wrote to umbrella organizations of industries, businesses and private schools, directing them to provide the festival expense allowance to all their workers. A separate letter was sent to ensure that teachers and staff working at private schools also receive the festival allowance.

The department issued this directive as major festivals including Dashain and Tihar approach.