[APWSLMembers 289] Brief about protest rally

[rubina jamil]

The National Assembly of Pakistan made an objectionable amendments on June 21st in the Factories Act enhancing working hours from 8 to 10 for women workers and 8 to 12 hours male workers without any debate, not only this but the finance bill has illegally introduce amendments in the following laws. Factories Act 1934, Shops and Establishment Ordinance 1969, Pakistan Industrial & Commercial Employment Standing Order Ordinance 1968, Workers Welfare Fund Ordinance 1971 and The Employees Old Age Benefit Act 1976.

In the Shops & Establishment Ordinance government has not increase the working hours but the compulsory weekly holiday has been abolished. A new category of the contract workers has been added to the Standing Order Ordinance. These workers will not be entitled to compensate overtime. In addition, the ceiling of working overtime has been raised from 150 hours to 624 hours a year for adult and from 100 hours to 468 hours for Juveniles.

Knowing about these anti workers amendments in labor laws APTUF immediately called its executive meeting in Lahore on 22 June 2006 and overall discussed regarding anti workers amendment, the following program has been chalked out: 

 

1.               Protest rallies infront of Lahore Press Club June 22, 2006 

2.               Write Protest Letters to government authorities

3.               Publish leaflets / stickers etc.

4.               Protest March July 7, on national level, in Lahore at Press Club.

5.               Observe Black Day on July 13th

6.               Messages to all national and international trade unions.  

7.               July 20th One day Hunger Strike.

 

On June 22, 2006 APTUF demonstrated infornt of Lahore Press Club to oppose increase in working hours of 12 hours and other anti labor amendments.

 

On July 7th APTUF hold a Protest March against increase in working hours, anti labor amendments and gas tariff. Thousands of workers including women workers attended the rally, workers unfurling their banners, holding play cards and shouting slogans. Heavy police contingent was there to stop the marchers.

 

Speaking on the occasion All Pakistan Trade Union Secretary General Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary, Rubina Jamil, Aima Mahmood, Shabbir Jamil and Fazal-e-Wahid described that the present government had been giving a raw deal to wage-earners since its take over." To begin with, it imposed restrictions on their union rights under the Industrial Relation Ordinance and legalized summary dismissal of government employees by promulgating the Removal Service Ordinance in 2002, they emphasized how the workers needed greater clarity, discipline and organization in order to overcome the forces capitalism in Pakistan. Speakers boldly stated that only a growing working class movement could address the exploitation and oppression of the people and especially women, this demonstration was merely a preview of things to come, the workers movement would grow and boldly fight against the capitalist, imperialist tyranny and establish a workers republic, the workers of Pakistan will continue to 

stage protest, 



It was announced that APTUF decided to launch nation wide campaign and our demands are to make the law with the conformity of ILO Conventions and its implementation.  

 

It was announced that on July 13th, APTUF will Observe Black Day through out the country, wear black bands on arms, put up black flags on office, factory gates, hold gate meetings.


We request to all our comrades/friends/people to join this campaign to strengthen the workers unity. 



 

Your fraternally
 

 

Nasir Chaudhary

Secretary

International Affairs

Email: rubinawwo at nexlinx.net.pk

       aptuf at brain.net.pk



 

PS. PWC meeting held on 10th and it was decided that on 20th of July hold Protest March. And in the end of July decided to hold Governing Body meeting of PWC. Further program of protest will chalk out

 
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