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Mon May 19 19:59:19 JST 2008

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Protest Letter:   Severe Violation of Labour Laws in SVA Ruba Electronics Factory
                                Workers Baton Charged by Management Goons man

Dear Friends,

Revolutionary greetings from All Pakistan Trade Union Federation/Working Women organization

I would like to inform you that "SVA Ruba Electronic Factory" is a Joint Venture of China in Pakistan is located 18 Kilo meter Raiwind Road, Thokar Niaz Beg, Lahore. 150 workers in which 70 women and 80 men are working in the factory

The situation of workers in SVA Ruba Electronic is miserable. 90% workers have no appointment letters, they are getting less than minimum wage, working 10-12, forced overtime, management is violating labor laws and using bad tactics, harassing women workers including male workers. 

On May 15th, 2008 one employee of the factory named Waheed Ul Hasan demanded factory management to increase workers wages, because in this high inflation it is very difficult for workers to run one family, management bring goons man and thrown out Waheed ul Hasan.  Workers working in the factory gather on the gate and stop their work due to illegal action of the management, workers try hard to go out from the factory, but management locked the factory gate and not allowed workers to go out. Workers request management to accept their demands and increase their wages, bring back to Waheed ul Hasan, but management refused, so workers refused to back to work and chanted slogans against the management and for their acceptance of their demands 

Meanwhile All Pakistan Trade Union Federation representative Mr. Rafiq Ahmed Mao immediately went to the factory gate and speak out with workers, he assured them that the federation fully help and support them and informed APTUF General Secretary Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary, Mr. Chaudhary called to Deputy Director and labour officer from Labor Department, and starts negotiations with the management, during the meeting with Chinese Representative, his attitude was very harsh and he did not want Waheed Ul Haq in the factory. Chinese manager said that I go to Chinese Embassy and tell them that workers are creating a problem in this factory, during the meeting with management Deputy Director Labour asked workers how many workers are having appointment letters, only two workers raised their hands that they have appointment letter, so you can imagine how the Chinese and Pakistani management violating ILO Conventions and violating the law of lands.

Workers formed union named "SVA Ruba Electronics Employees Union" and give application to Registrar of union in National Industrial Relation Commission (NIRC), the Chairman of NIRC give them "Stay Order" and instruct management to not terminate any workers.

On April 17th, 2008 Saturday the union representative give a copy to management, management illegally lock out the factory and not allowed workers go inside.

In this hot summers day when the temperature is 48 workers including women workers are sit infront of the factory and protesting under the banner of All Pakistan Trade Union Federation/ Working Women Organization, Still situation in factory is critical, employer threatening workers and there is an apprehension that anytime a fight between workers and management will start.

APTUF called its emergency meeting on May18 and 19, 2008 in its office, it is decided that the federation hold protest and sit infront of the factory till workers demands meet.  It is also decided to send a message to all national and international trade unions and human right organization to send letter of protest to Prime Minister of Pakistan, Secretary Labour, Punjab, Minister of Labour Punjab, Chief Secretary Punjab.

The company is a joint venture of Pakistan and China, the attitude of Chinese director towards workers representative very harsh, he don't wont workers union in his company.

We will inform you about latest update.

It is requested to kindly immediately send protest letter to:

Protest Letters sent to:

Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister Secretariat

Islamabad

Chief Minister of Punjab
Chief Minister House

Lahore-Pakistan

Mr. Ashraf Sohna
Provincial Minister of Labour

Civil Secretariat-Punjab

Lahore, Pakistan

Fax:: 92-42- 9211580

Secretary Labor Punjab
Civil Secretariat -Punjab

2 Bank Road, Old P & D Building

Lahore Pakistan

Fax: 92-42-9211580

We strongly demanded to:

Ø      Immediately Reinstate Waheed Ul Haq

Ø      Increase workers salary

Ø      Recognize SVA Ruba Workers Union

Ø      Stop Violating ILO Convention 98 and 87

Solidarity support needed:

To support Pakistani working class and to boost up their moral, we request all of you to send your message of solidarity to:

Gulzar Ch, General Secretary All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, President, SVA Ruba Electronic Employees Union: Email: rubinawwo at nexlinx.net.pk and fax: 92-42-5314365

LONG LIVE WORKERS SOLIDARITY!

In solidarity,

Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary
General Secretary

All Pakistan Trade Union Federation

Rubina Jamil
President

Working Women Organization

Fax: 92-42-5314365
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