Activists call for electoral, agricultural reforms

Report also demands compensation for peasants affected by floods and natural calamities

KARACHI:

Workers, peasants, and advocates for human rights and civil society have called for effective electoral reforms to ensure adequate representation for the working class in parliament.

They also urged the implementation of agricultural reforms to diminish the influence of large landlords on resources. This call was made during a discussion session on the key findings of the Annual Report on 'The State of Peasants Rights in Sindh in 2022' organised by the Hari Welfare Association and Sindh Abhyas Academy.

Notable speakers included National Commission for Human Rights Member Ms Anis Haroon, Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research Karamat Ali, and trade union leaders.

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Anis Haroon emphasised the severity of bonded labour in the country, highlighting the gap between legislation and its poor implementation in Pakistan. She noted that while the Women Agriculture Workers law was enacted in Sindh in 2018, its rules are yet to be established. Karamat Ali underscored the need for workers' representation in Parliament, stating that feudalism has uniquely expanded in Pakistan. Habibuddin Junaidi mentioned that the Sindh government has enacted pro-workers laws following the 18th Amendment.

Akram Khaskheli, President of the Hari Welfare Association, highlighted the issues faced by peasants in Sindh, and the report prepared by the association called on the Government of Sindh to withdraw its appeal against the Sindh High Court's decision on the Tenancy Act.

The report also demanded compensation for peasants affected by floods and natural calamities, passage of seed laws to protect peasants' rights, implementation of the Sindh Women Agriculture Workers Act, and establishing of District Vigilance Committees. It called for the registration of agricultural workers, issuance of labour and health insurance cards, a review of Sindh's Occupational Safety and Health Act, and strict oversight to include women in the workforce as beneficiaries.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2023.