Like the rest of the world, rallies and seminars were held in Karachi to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago and to protect the rights of workers on the occasion of May 1.
A May Day rally was organised by the National Trade Union Federation of Pakistan and Home Based Women Workers Federation, led by Comrade Zahra Khan and Comrade Gul Rehman.
The rally started from Regal Chowk Sadar and culminated at Karachi Press Club. A large number of workers, politicians, students, youth, social and human rights activists participated in the rally.
The participants brandishing red flags carried pictures of Chicago's martyrs, revolutionary leaders and carried red flags. During the rally, the workers were shouting slogans for their rights and demands.
Addressing rally, labour leaders said that working class of Pakistan completely rejects economic and political policies of rulers. They demanded that minimum wage should be fixed at Rs50,000, all workers should be registered with social security and pension institutions.
On International Workers' Day, Railway Menatkash Union and Railway Workers'Union jointly marched from Loco Shed to Karachi Cantt Station under the leadership of labor leaders to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago
The labour leaders demanded the railway authorities and the government to issue a road map for railway grant, medical treatment, immediate payment of withheld dues of retired and widows and in-service employees, payment of salaries on time, rehabilitation of railways
CM's Message
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the Sindh government is making all the efforts to improve the lives of workers, the CM claimed. "Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has always supported the labourers and their rights and will continue to ensure their welfare," Mirad said.
Meanwhile, in a public message, PPP Women's Wing Central President and MPA Faryal Talpur said, "The workers' community has always been the backbone of the society and economy, and we as a nation, needed to do a lot to improve the lives of the workers and farmers in the country". She said that PPP has always played an engaging role for the labourers in the country.
PPP party of workers, peasants
Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon paid tribute to the labourers movement and stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is a party of workers and peasants.
The minister said that the labourers of the country are the proud asset to the PPP.
In a public message on International Labour Day, Memon highlighted that the PPP has taken historic steps for the welfare of labourers.
Memon stated that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto introduced the first labour policy in the country. He also mentioned that former president Asif Ali Zardari had devolved the powers of labour institutions to the provinces under the 18th Amendment, which has resulted in remarkable legislation being enacted in Sindh for the welfare of labourers.
Privatisation a 'heist'
Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani while addressing a programme at the Arts Council to mark International Workers' Day on May 1 said the process of privatisation was the biggest heist in the history of the country that had weakened Pakistan. He said that up to 90 per cent of the institutions, which were privatised, have been closed down and their land sold out.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2023.
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