Labour rally demands rights

Speakers say those demanding implementation of labour laws face dismissals, torture

KARACHI:

A labour rally was held in the city on Sunday under the banner of the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan, the Home-Based Women Workers Federation and several other organisations.

The rally was led by Riaz Abbasi, Comrade Zehra Khan and Asad Iqbal Butt, and attended by workers from various sectors along with representatives of political, social and human rights groups.

NTUF General Secretary Nasir Mansoor said the "capitalist practice" of suppressing workers for raising legitimate demands was the biggest obstacle to industrial and economic development. He alleged that workers' rights guaranteed under national and international labour laws were being denied, while those demanding implementation were facing dismissals, torture and what he described as false cases of terrorism, murder and extortion.

Human rights activist Asad Iqbal Butt criticised the Sindh government's police task force, accusing it of exceeding its mandate to protect the "illegal interests of industrialists" and harassing labour leaders instead of engaging with workers. Home-Based Women Workers Federation General Secretary Zehra Khan condemned the contract labour system, calling it "inhuman and illegal," and said proposed labour code reforms aimed to absolve employers of their responsibilities.

Speakers, including representatives of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and labour leaders, demanded withdrawal of the "anti-worker" labour code, an end to forced disappearances and alleged police torture of labour activist Iqbal Abro, recognition of unionisation rights, payment of wages through bank accounts, and mandatory social security and pension registration.