‘70m workers in Pakistan deprived of basic rights’

Activists term working conditions in garment factories 'worse than slavery'

Pakistan has ratified more than 38 International Labour Organisation conventions, but still, over 70 million workers in the country had not received basic rights, said speakers during a labour moot on Sunday.

The moot, entitled "Textile Garments Workers Convention", was held in Korangi Industrial Area under the banner of the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF).

The speakers claimed that workers in the textile and garments sector were employed in conditions that were 'worse than slavery.'

Speaking on the occasion, NTUF general secretary Nasir Mansoor said that millions of textile workers were deprived of basic rights, adding that less than one per cent of labourers in Pakistan could unionise and elect collective bargaining agents.

"Moreover, less than 5 per cent of workers are registered with social security and pension institutions," he stated, adding that only three per cent of workers received written appointment letters. "In the textile sector, the illegal and inhumane contract work system is in vogue. This has converted our workers into modern-day slaves."

Accusing international brands of violating both domestic and international labour laws and standards in connivance with local industrialists, he warned that the growing lawlessness in factories would force workers to launch a resistance movement.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research executive director Karamat Ali said workers were being forced to toil in unsafe working conditions, where industrial mishaps had become a norm. "We have not learnt any lessons from the Baldia factory fire tragedy."

Home Based Women Workers Federation general secretary Zehra Khan pointed out that worsening working conditions and prolonged labour hours in textile factories were not only violations of local labour laws but also against the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus agreement.

"International fashion brands have adopted a criminal silence over the issue because they are earning billions of rupees," she stated, adding that these brands had pledged that local factories producing goods for them would allow workers to unionise besides providing them better wages, working conditions and social security.

The convention put forward demands, including the right to form labour unions, elect collective bargaining agents, receive written appointment letters and register with social security institutions.

They further asked for at least minimum wage to be provided to unskilled workers, legal action against factories forcing employees to work over 48 hours a week, restraining factory owners from using law enforcement agencies in industrial disputes, gas subsidies for industries, health and education facilities in the neighbourhoods of workers, among other demands.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.