KARACHI, Sept 18: Expressing its grave concern over the persisting tussle between the federation and federating units and the situation prevailing in the country, the Muttahida Labour Federation has demanded that provinces be given autonomy and the right on their resources.

It also demanded that relationship between federation and federating units be redefined and respected in order to keep the country intact.

The demands came at the end of the sixth delegates’ conference held under the auspices of the MLF on Sunday at the Karachi Press Club. More than 300 delegates from 167 unions participated in the conference.

The MLF called for an end to the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and resumption of the dialogue to resolve the conflict.

It also called for banishment of dictatorship and restoration of a complete and undiluted democracy through transparent elections. The MLF was of the view the armed forces should go back to the barracks as they had no locus standi for intervention in governance of the country.

The trade union leaders expressed concern over the undeclared restriction on the formation of trade unions which, they said, had made it impossible for such bodies to get registered. The MLF was also concerned over the declining number of the organised working class. It noted that the number of workers in the organised sector was declining while the same was increasing in the informal sector. It praised the delegates for their resolve to continue the struggle against anti-worker laws despite all odds.

It observed that successive governments since 1990 had been implementing the agenda of IMF and World Bank. In this context, it slammed the privatization process.

The delegates urged all political parties in the country to base their future policies on economy, privatisation and labour laws and chalk out the same before the upcoming general elections.

MLF leaders said the people were fed up with the mounting poverty, price-hike, unemployment, unrest, deteriorating law and order situation, etc., and were looking for a change but they were also skeptical about the political parties which in the past had failed to deliver.

They emphasised the need for training to workers regarding trade union techniques of organising the workforce in the formal and informal sector, besides focusing on membership drive in the agricultural sector.

They also vowed to continue the struggle against child labour and discriminatory laws against women.

They supported implementation of the wage award for the journalists and freedom of press.

Gul Rahman, Mohammad Yakoob and Qamoos Gul Khatak were among those who addressed the press conference.