The policies of global lenders, especially the IMF, have made the lives of the masses a living hell.
Karachi, Sindh
Participants of a huge Labor Day rally here on Wednesday rejected the policies of government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) terming them anti-worker in their core essence, and demanded that the workers should be given a living wage instead of the minimum wage.
On the occasion of 138th anniversary of the Labor Day, National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) staged a joint ‘Mehnatkash Rally’ that marched from Regal Chowk to the Karachi Press Club. A large number of workers including women, transgender and children carrying red flags and banners attended the rally, led by HBWWF leader Comrade Zehra Khan and NTUF leader Comrade Gul Rehman.
To express solidarity with the Palestinians, they also waved the Palestine flags. They also expressed solidarity with the protesting students of the US universities.
Addressing the rally, labor leaders said that the basic motive of the First May movement was to get determined working hours, raise in wages and realization of the right of making labor unions. They said that though 138 years have already passed to this great resistance movement but billions of workers in the world are still struggling for their basic rights. The working class has always took an active part in movements against the military governments but the so-called democratic governments have always failed to give them their legal due rights, they said.
They said today in Pakistan less than one percent of the eight and half Crore workforce is availing the right of making trade unions, while in the private sector the ratio of trade unions is only half of it. They said 62 percent of our labor force belongs to services and industrial sector, producing 84 percent of total national production or about 285 billion dollars. Of these workers, 95 percent don’t have even their appointment letters. Further, 90 percent of them have to work from 12 to 16 hours a day. Despite the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, illegal contract system fully works in our country. There are no facilities of social security and pension for these workers.
The trade union leaders said the policies of global lenders, especially the IMF, have made the lives of the masses a living hell. They face price hikes, inflation, joblessness and diseases. The electricity, gas, water, medicines and eatables have gone beyond the reach of the masses. Healthcare, education and services are commercialized. The assets of the state owned entities are being sold for peanuts in the name of privatization.
Expressing solidarity with the American students, they termed their movement a new decisive development of the international movement in support of the people of Palestine. They said the workers of Pakistan stand shoulder by shoulder with the oppressed people of Palestine. They said in Pakistan wages are too low as compared with inflation. They demanded that instead of the minimum wage, the workers should be given a living wage. She said our government instead of giving protection to workers is bent to render them jobless in the name of privatization. They said 178 entities have been privatized for 6 billion dollars and the majority of them are closed.
They further said that the labor rights are also human rights. The person who doesn’t support the labor rights could not be termed as a human rights worker. The workers in Pakistan are the most oppressed people. He stressed unity among the workers to wage a decisive struggle for their rights, they said.
The rally demand that: Minimum wage should be fixed at Rs50000 per month. Instead of the minimum wage, the workers should be given a living wage. All workers including home-based workers should be registered with the social security institutions. Wrkplaces should be made free from harassment. Labor laws should be implemented in factories and workplaces. Wages should be paid through bank accounts. The right to form trade unions should be given to workers. Contract labor system should be banned, making it a crime. Every citizen should be given healthcare, education, and housing facilities. A proper public transport system should be established. The privatization process should be stopped. All non-productive expenses should be slashed by half. Agricultural reforms should be introduced in the country. All idle lands should be distributed among the Hari families free of cost. Workers should be given the right of trade unions and CBAs. All workers should be given appointment letters. Forced disappearances should be ended and the missing people should be recovered. All anti-environment projects should be stopped. Actions should be taken to combat the dangers of climate change. ILO should share the secret agreement made with the insurance company without consulting with the Victims’ representative. State subsidies should be restored on Food, medicine, and transport.
NTUF central general secretary Nasir Mansoor, Labor leader Muhammad Rafique Baloch, Comrade Zehra Khan general secretary of HBWWF, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan vice chairman Qazi Khizr, and others addressed the rally.
Riaz Abbasi and Gul Rehman (NTUF), Anny Yaqoob, Perveen Bano (HBWWF), Saira Feroze, Ruqia Muhammad Hanif (United HB Garments Workers Union), Saeed Baloch and Fatima Majeed (Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum), Aqib Hussain and Bilawal (youth organization Alternate), Comrade Ramzan Memon and Shahina Ramzan (National Awami Party) Muhammad Siddique and Husina Khatoon (Baldia Factory Fire Affectees Association), Iqbal Abro and Himat Phulpoto (Textile General Workers Union), Dr Asghar Ali Dashti (FUUAST), Khaliq Zadran (Awami Huqooq), Wahid Baloch (Intellectual), Bakht Zameen (SITE Labour Forum) Israr Sawati (Kohi Noor Soap), Azam Kakar (Pakistan Paper union) and others were also present.
Read: May Day rallyists accuse the govt. of safeguarding elites’ interests
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