KARACHI, May 1: Restoration of workers’ due rights and trade unions throughout the country, as well as fixation of a reasonable minimum wage, was demanded at a big rally organized by Muttahida Labour Federation, in connection with May Day, at Shershah Colony here on Thursday.

Leading trade unions and labour leaders expressed their views and paid tributes to the heroes of Chicago tragedy where a large number of labourers in 1886 sacrificed their lives for the cause of workers throughout the world.

The speakers demanded restoration of workers rights as enshrined and guaranteed under international conventions and laws.

They stressed the need for a reasonable amount to be determined as minimum wage for any worker employed in public/private sector and a formula under which the amount could increase in accordance with inflation rate.

The speakers also called for the repeal of Industrial Relations Ordinance-2002 and other such anti-workers amendments made to the Civil Servants Act and Banking Companies Ordinance.

They deplored the government for ignoring the recommendations put forwarded by a tripartite conference and, instead, promulgating the IRO without getting it endorsed by labour bodies. A leading economist, Kaiser Bengali, speaking on the occasion observed that the ruling clique had been acting on US dictations and, therefore, had no sincere approach towards the country and its people.

A civilized state, he said, guaranteed fundamental rights and basic amenities to its people. However, he added, Pakistan government had failed to ensure such rights and facilities, including education and health, for its citizens. The country’s workers are facing lock-outs, retrenchment, unemployment, contract system, long working hours, low wages, etc.

He urged the workers to join hands and intensify their struggle for their genuine rights.

Many speakers urged the government to restore trade union activities in all the organizations, particularly Railways, PIA, KESC, Pakistan Steel and banks and financial institutions. They said referendums be allowed to be held in all the organizations whose CBAs’ term had expired.

Prominent among those who addressed the rally were Mohammad Jaffar, Tufail Abbas, Mr Barkhurdar, Mr Sajjad, Masil Khan and Abdul Rauf Khan. The senior trade unionist and chief of the MLF, Nabi Ahmad, could not attend the meeting due to his illness.

PTUF: To mark the May Day, workers held a rally under the auspices of the Pakistan Trade Union Federation near Khamosh Colony on Thursday.