October 25, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 12, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 24: The Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) has decided to observe a countrywide protest day on Nov 23 to express resentment against anti-labour policies of the government.

The decision was taken at the annual general council session of the federation at Labour Hall here on Wednesday with Muhammad Ahmed in the chair. ILO (policy planning) director Dr Rashid Amjad attended the council meeting on a special invitation.

Federation Secretary-General Khurshid Ahmed said the government was not ready to pay any attention to the problems of inflation and unemployment being faced by workers. It was depriving workers of even the previously available facilities by promulgating `draconian’ labour laws without even taking their representatives into confidence.

Council member Tikka Khan said two to four per cent people ruling the country by force and conspiracies were not ready to solve the problems being faced by the poor because they had not experienced poverty.

He said the country could witness a bloodbath if the rulers did not solve problems being faced by the poor.

PWF Karachi region chairman Jalil Shah said running of trade unions in Karachi had become impossible because of lawlessness.

Federation secretary-general in the NWFP, Master Khudadad, and southern region chairman Muhammad Yaqub said the economy had been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of workers had lost their jobs as a result of the privatisation policy of the government.

He said the working conditions in the country were worsening with the passage of time because those in power were concerned only with the protection of their vested interests.

The council adopted a resolution condemning blasts at a PPP rally in Karachi.

They also criticised the government for failure to control the prices of essential commodities and unemployment and expressed concern over the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. All the political parties should spell out their policy in respect of workers.

The council stressed the need for upgradation of the posts of all government employees on the pattern of ministerial staff and fixing the minimum wage at Rs10,000.

It also called for bringing labour laws in conformity with the ILO conventions and combating poverty by adopting the policy of economic independence. Services of contract and daily-wage employees should be regularised and inspections be restored for checking the violations of labour laws.