KARACHI, Sept 24: The Pakistan Peoples Party on Saturday claimed that its amendment to the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan Bill 2005 in the Senate was aimed at protecting the rights of the working class.

In a statement issued from Bilawal House, leader of the Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said the PPP was able to prevent the passing of an anti-labour legislation in the Senate the other day.

The Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan Bill 2005 in its Section 11 contained the provision that the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1952 would be applicable.

This would have meant that there would be no trade union activity and that the rights of workers would be at the mercy of the management.

“An amendment was moved by me on behalf of my party for its deletion. After an agreement with the Treasury benches, the amendment was accepted,” said Mr Rabbani, adding that all those laid off without due process of the law by the present government should be reinstated.