Pakistan Workers Federation

PRESS RELEASE

Rawalpindi 7th October 2008:

Working class of Pakistan commemorated “World Day for Decent Work” (WDDW) under the aegis of Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) in all over the country by holding special meetings, conferences, rallies and symposims. A special rally was held by PWF Northern Punjab Region at Pindi City Circle Marir Hassan which was led by Zahoor Awan, Deputy General Secretary, M. Akram Bunda, Ramzan Jadoon, Javed Iqbal Baloch, Ch. Yasin, Sajjad Hussain Sajid, Riaz Bhatti, Raja Waqar Hussain, Aqlim Khan, Malik Fateh Khan and other representatives of the federation. A large number of workers of Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union, PTV National Workers Union, Attock Oil Refinery Employees Union, CDA Mazdoor Union, All Pakistan PWD Workers Union, Murree Brewery Workers Union, Koh-i-Noor Textile Mills Mazdoor Union, OGDCL Mazdoor Itehad Union, Bank of Punjab Employees Union and other affiliated trade unions of the federation participated in the rally.

Addressing the workers on the occasion Zahoor Awan said that Decent Work ensures optimum performance, efficiency and industrial peace, and it is a guarantee of occupational security and welfare of workers and their families. He said that World Day for Decent Work emphasizes that fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom to express their concerns, participation in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and better medical treatment are the fundamental and legal rights of workers. The Labour Leaders express their concern that in Pakistan most of the industrial units were not complying with the industrial standards of Decent Work and they were compelled to work in worst condition. They declared that the present heavy electricity loadshedding and deterioration law and order situation on account of incidence of terrorism and ill effects of globalization of economy has rendered the thousands of workers jobless and closure of many enterprises. They demanded that the government shoud take immediate steps on war footing basis to remedy the situation.

The representatives of the federation admiring the efforts of International Labor Organization (ILO) in this regard, said that this international organization is struggling to provide Decent Work to labour community throughout Pakistan and the rest of the world. They demanded the government that it should take immediate steps to ameliorate the lot of the workers and obey the ratified conventions of ILO. Pakistan Workers Federation is working for the well being of labourers and workers community of the country under the leadership of Mr. Khurshid Ahmed, the central Secretary General of the federation and will continue by joining the broad global mobilization to ensure the welfare and protection of workers rights for all times to come.

Sajjad Hussain Sajid, Secretary Information

The activities for the World Day for Decent Work in Pakistan will be:

1. A special conference with the participation of Trade Union Representatives and (invited) Government, Employer’s Organizations, Media and ILO Representatitves.

2.Special meeting in all eight regions on the three themes of the World Day for Decent Work, 2008.

3. Special poster and illustrated material, in particular highlighting the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the ILO Core Standard.

4. Special article in Pakistani National Press underlining the mains themes.