Port workers face job loss as labour board closure looms

Unions, HRCP unite to prevent the 'economic murder' of 2,600 dock workers

KARACHI:

Labour rights activists and dock workers' representatives have announced a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club on February 9 against the proposed closure of the Karachi Dock Labour Board (KDLB), warning that the move could render thousands of workers jobless and dismantle a decades-old regulatory system at the port.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday by leaders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Karachi Dock Labour Board Workers' Alliance. Those addressing the media included HRCP Chairman Asad Iqbal Butt, labour leaders Habib Janedi, Nasir Mansoor, Hussain Badshah, Farhat Parveen, and others.

The speakers said the Karachi Dock Labour Board is an autonomous regulatory body responsible for registering dock workers and allocating work on a rotational basis. They explained that stevedoring and shipping companies are first registered with the board, which then regulates their operations. Whenever a vessel docks at a jetty, the concerned company informs the board of its manpower requirements, and registered dock workers are deployed accordingly.

They said dock workers operate in two shifts and are paid based on the amount of work performed. Wages are first deposited with the Dock Labour Board and, after the completion of each month, transferred directly to workers' bank accounts. In addition, a levy cess is charged per ton of cargo, which is spent on the welfare of dock workers.

The leaders emphasised that the Karachi Dock Labour Board does not receive any government grants and is not a financial burden on the state. They alleged that a single port user company is pushing for the 'economic killing' of 2,600 dock workers and accused the government of attempting to dismantle the board under this pressure.

They further said that six labour unions have formed a joint alliance to resist the move and have already launched a symbolic strike at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) headquarters, with plans to widen the scope of protests in the coming days.

The labour leaders demanded an immediate end to what they described as a programme to make 2,600 dock workers unemployed. They also called for the payment of pensions to retired employees without deductions, approval of dock workers' charter of demands, an increase in the Dock Labour Board's levy cess, inclusion of junior workers in the seniority list as per existing agreements, and strict implementation of agreements between the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) and management in accordance with labour laws.

They concluded by urging the government to withdraw any proposed decision to abolish the Karachi Dock Labour Board, warning that failure to do so would escalate the protest movement.