10 November 2004	Wednesday	26 Ramazan 1425

RAWALPINDI, Nov 9: National Labour Federation Pakistan has demanded of the government to withdraw all the laws, which are in conflict with workers' rights.

The demand came from the NLF leaders in a meeting with the federal minister for manpower and overseas Pakistanis, Ghulam Sarwar Khan. The NLF delegation was led by the organization's central president, Mirajuddin Khan, while NLF secretary-general Ijaz Ahmad Sheikh, organizing secretary Shamsur-Rehman Swati and Sardar Pervez Akhtar were also present on the occasion.

They also demanded raise in labourers' wages in accordance with the increase in prices. The delegation requested the federal minister that the Removal from Service Ordinance 2000, Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 and those clauses of the Banking Ordinance, which are in conflict with workers' rights and ILO Convention should be repealed.

They made special mention of the government of Punjab Industrial Labour Policy saying it goes at cross purposes with labourers' rights be withdrawn.

The NLF representatives also demanded of the government to unconditionally lift ban from unions in different departments and corporations like PIA, Pakistan Steel Mills, Railways, Printing Corporation of Pakistan, Employees Old Age Benefit Institute and others.

"Only in this way, the contract system, ad hocism and daily wages policy can be eliminated and people will be able to get permanent employment. Wages should be fixed in comparison with price hike."

Labourers employed in furnaces should be declared industrial workers and given rights accordingly, they added. "Those industries and institutions, which don't follow the Constitution should be conditioned to comply with labour laws and give workers their rights as enshrined in the Constitution." They demanded that practical steps should be taken for this purpose to save the low-paid workers from exploitation of furnace owners. Similarly, those organizations where timings are not in accordance with labour rules should be conditioned to observe fixed timing.

The federal minister promised sympathetic consideration of all the demands. He said all clauses in the Removal from Service Ordinance 2000, Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 and Banking Ordinance would be withdrawn, which are in conflict with basic rights of workers. He pledged that steps would be taken to create a cordial industrial environment in the country.