Kunwar received his education from Gandhigram Rural University,[11]Tamil Nadu, India in 1984. He worked in the health sector for 22 years. He joined the trade union in 1990 and has continuously fought for the cause of labour. Kunwar joined the trade union because of discrimination against worker's rights, welfare, and socio-economic standards. He flayed the provision of 'no work no pay' in the new policy, saying it was against the labourers.[12] "The provision is totally against the laborers and we condemn it," Kunwar said.[13]
Activities
Under his leadership, NTUCI has been actively campaigning to promote social welfare, social justice, human rights, and equality and to eliminate child labor on a national level. Kunwar was also part of the Nepalese delegation to the 98th International Labour Conference (ILC) with (ILO) whom briefed Director General of ILO, Juan Somavia[14] on their efforts to have labour-related rights incorporated into the new constitution at Geneva, in 2009.[15] Kunwar has actively lobbied and put pressure on political parties and government with the partnership of other trade unions. They have succeeded in addressing workers' rights and job security in the interim constitution of Nepal and in the ratification of ILO conventions.[16][17] He addressed the high-level meeting with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ITUC/Global Unions in Washington, DC in January 2011.
Minimum wage
Kunwar is also one of the key people from Joint Trade Union negotiating the minimum wage for workers.[18] After many negotiations and disagreements, in a landmark decision trade unions and employers have agreed to increase the salary and daily wages of workers. Talks between the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepalese Industries and trade unions have resulted in hiking the minimum wage of workers from Rs 4,600 to Rs 6,100 and bringing in a social security plan for workers. The agreement also provides for amending labour laws in favour of industrial harmony. "Trade unions have taken the agreement positive as the agreement has accepted their longtime demand of Social security.[19] Including Social security fund in the agreement is the success of labour movement", said Ramjee Kunwar, acting president of NTUCI.[20]
