December 9, 2003	Tuesday	Shawwal 14, 1424

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QUETTA, Dec 8: The All Pakistan Workers Confederation, Balochistan chapter, on Monday demanded the withdrawal of anti-labour presidential ordinances, including the Compulsory Termination Ordinance 2000, the Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 and laws about the workers of national banks.

Speaking at a meeting at the Khurshid Labour Hall, the confederation’s leaders said the assemblies had failed to address the problems faced by the working class and they were being run to safeguard the interests of some families.

Labour leader Khair Mohammad foreman presided over the meeting that was attended by the representatives of the Balochistan Labour Federation, the All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions, the United Labour Federation and the Banks Federation of Pakistan.

The speakers said the government was least interested in redressing the grievances of the working class, that was playing a vital role in the development of the country.

They asserted that workers in the Water and Power Development Authority, the Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation, the Post Office, the railways and other government departments were facing numerous problems.

They said the government held talks with union representatives but without any result.

They lamented that the government was not taking any steps to solve the problems of unemployment, rising prices, poverty, illiteracy, corruption and lawlessness.

They urged the government to ensure that the people got their basic rights, including justice. They said the labourers were the worst affected by the price hike and low wages.

They vowed to continue their struggle for the rights of the workers and maintained that all working class organizations should join hands to achieve the rights of the downtrodden masses.

They said the provincial government should reactivate the closed mills and explore the resources in the province to establish new industries to overcome unemployment.

The meeting urged the government to implement the agreements and commitments made with the union representatives for resolution of workers’ problems.