Kathmandu. Nepal Financial Institution Employees Association (FIEUN) has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Sanima Capital Compliance Officer Rashmi Rijal. Expressing deep regret over the incident, the association has demanded an impartial, independent and evidence-based investigation into the incident.
Issuing a memorandum on Monday, the association said Rijal’s self-immolation incident has shocked the entire financial sector and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. According to a press release issued by the association’s Acting President Parshuram Khanal and General Secretary Bikash Shrestha, although the preliminary details of the incident have been made public, the real reasons for the incident, the working environment, the institutional behavior and the role of the concerned parties have not been made public yet. “While it would not be appropriate to draw conclusions based on conjectures, questions raised by the family, inquiries about the role of the company’s management and public concern over the investigation process have made the incident more serious,” the statement said.
The Association has stated that increasing pressure on employees in financial sectors including banks, insurance, microfinance, capital market, tendency to overwork with limited human resources, impractical performance targets, long working hours and institutional negligence towards mental health are the causes of serious concern.
According to the association, such situations have a negative impact on the mental health, family life, professional confidence and performance of the employees.
Stating that it is the responsibility of employers to effectively implement the Constitution of Nepal, Labour Act-2074 BS and legal provisions related to safe and dignified workplace, the statement has clearly stated that the life of employees, dignity, mental security and human rights are paramount than the professional achievement of any organization. The association has stated that mental harassment, unhealthy work culture, unnecessary pressure and institutional insensitivity against the employees is not acceptable.
In the wake of the incident, the association has put forward a five-point demand with the concerned body. The association has demanded fair and independent, transparent, scientific and evidence-based investigation into the death of Rashmi Rijal and make public the facts. The association has also demanded stern action against the culprits if the investigation proves mental harassment, abuse, negligence or violation of the law.
Likewise, the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) and other regulatory bodies should carry out special study on the workload, workplace environment, mental health and labour rights situation of the employees in the capital market and financial sector and take necessary corrective steps.
The association has also urged the regulatory bodies to enforce effective standards on healthy work culture, adequate human resources, practical working hours, safe workplace and mental health protection in banks, financial institutions, insurance and capital market sectors. It has also demanded that all employers immediately implement policies to ensure mental health protection, psychosocial support, grievance redressal system and harassment-free working environment. The association has also urged the government, regulatory bodies, employers and all stakeholders to take necessary initiatives considering this incident as a serious issue related to the increasing workload in the financial sector, mental health of employees, labour rights and corporate responsibility.
