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<P class=MsoBodyText3 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT size=5><FONT
face="Albertus Medium"><SPAN lang=EN
style="BACKGROUND: #fb0000; mso-shading: red; mso-pattern: gray-5 auto">Pakistani
Workers Protest Against Objectionable Amendments by National Assembly in Labor
Laws, June 22, 2006</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The
working class of Pakistan experience continuous curb on labor rights. The right
of association and speech and right of protest, right of strike is the foremost
right for workers as well as for common man. This right has been drastically
curtailed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The government of
Pakistan is totally following the imperialist policies which badly hitting
workers and their movement. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The
process of privatization involves a restructuring of the labor force and a shift
from the public sector to the private sector. Even when this only involves
change of ownership of the establishment, there is likely to be a change in the
conditions of service of the workers, which may represent a reduction or even a
loss in social protection.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The
National Assembly of Pakistan made an objectionable amendments in labor laws in
the Factories Act that enhanced working hours from 8 to 10 for women workers and
10 to 12 hours male workers on daily.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">All
Pakistan Trade Union Federation called its emergency meeting in which decide to
start <B>“Campaign”</B> against the removal of this amendment and hold Protest
Rally in Lahore on June 22, 2006 against 12 hours working day.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">APTUF
demonstrated outside Lahore Press Club to oppose increase in working hours of 12
hours a day which violate ILO Conventions. Hundreds of workers including women
joined the rally, displayed banners and placards written slogans against the
decision and called for its cancellation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Workers chanted slogans against the policy makers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Heavy contingent of police stop the
workers to move on the city roads.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="DISPLAY: none; mso-hide: all"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Gulzar
Ahmed Chaudhary, General Secretary APTUF, Rubina Jamil, Chairperson, Aima
Mahmood, Secretary WWO, Shabbir Ahmed, President, Capital Industries (Pvt) Ltd.
Muhammad Ilyas, Nisar Art Press, Nasir Chaudhary expressed their great concern
and demanded to the government to immediate abolish this anti workers amendment,
this act of government shows that government is totally in the favor of
employers, the amendment is clear violation of ILO Convention, speakers emphasis
to repeal of Industrial Relation Ordinance 2002 and curtails the right to form
trade union, collective bargaining, right to speak and right to
strike.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Gulzar
Chaudhary, General Secretary warned that the workers will not accept increase in
daily working hours, keeping in view a nominal raise in wage.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will continue to stage
demonstration against the decision, he announced that APTUF have decided to
launch nationwide campaign against the anti worker amendments and to make the
law with the conformity of ILO Conventions and its implementation.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Workers demand: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">v<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Government
immediately abolish amendment in labor laws.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">v<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Government
will repeal IRO 2002.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">v<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">It is
urged to the government to setup tripartite team comprising workers
representatives, employers and government to monitor the enforcement of labor
laws in all the industrial and commercial units.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">v<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Implement
all ratified ILO Conventions.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Plan of Action:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Protest
rally on July 7<SUP>th</SUP>, 2006 from Lahore Press Club to Assembly
Hall.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Message
sends to all International trade union organizations about the amendment in
labor laws.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Letters
to government authorities to withdraw this amendment. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Letter
to Director General ILO –Geneva and Director ILO.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Hold
gate meetings all over Pakistan against government
policies.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Publish
leaflets and distributed among the workers and general people.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Please
find Attach the Press clipping of Aptuf Demonstration!</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
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style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
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style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
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align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=6>All Pakistan Trade Union Federation</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>