18 October 2004	Monday	03 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Oct 17: The Pakistan Workers Confederation has submitted a 12-point memorandum of demands to the federal labour secretary for presentation to the government.

Submitting the memorandum, Confederation President Chaudhry Talib Nawaz, Secretary-General Khurshid Ahmed and veteran trade union leader Nabi Ahmed said that the government should control the prices of essential commodities and allow 250 per cent increase in the salaries of industrial workers and government servants on the pattern of ministers and legislators.

They said the government should also amend the Industrial Relations Ordinance for bringing it in conformity with the International Labour Organiz-ation conventions and lift restrictions on collective bargaining rights of workers in banks, Pakistan Mint, railways, Karachi Port Trust, agriculture and PIA.

They demanded review of the decision to privatize the public utility organizations like Wapda power distribution companies, PTCL, Oil and Gas Development Corporation and Karachi Port Trust as it would result in increase in their services.

They also stressed the need for abolition of the feudal system and replacement of the general education with market driven vocational and technical education so that the students could get employment. They called for formulation of policies for the welfare of women and abolition of child labour.