Janakpur goldsmiths launch protest

Bullion shops in Janakpur, which recently remained closed for 10 days due to protests launched by gold and silver dealers, have once again faced hurdles in running their businesses in a full-fledged manner due to agitated goldsmiths. Jewelry shops have remained partially closed for the last four days in Janakpur after more than 500 goldsmiths affiliated to a goldsmith association stopped working, putting forth six-point demand. Goldsmiths have demanded hike in wages, end to the practice of firing goldsmiths without a valid reason, introduction of a provision that requires jewelry shops to make jewelries from goldsmiths associated with the association and hike in soldering related payments, among others. Organizing a press meet, goldsmiths have threatened to launch series of protest programs if their demands are not addressed by Tuesday. These programs include padlocking of the shops affiliated with the Janakpur Gold and Silver Dealers´ Association (JGSDA) and sit-in at the shop of JGSDA President Amarnath Gupta. Ajay Thakur, president of the Goldsmiths´ Association Janakpur, said that gold and silver dealers are collecting huge soldering charges from customers and giving very little to goldsmiths. "We have demanded that gold and silver dealers give us whatever soldering charges are being slapped on customers," said Thakur.