April 03, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 2: Labour leaders and activists continue to shower praise on Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani for repealing anti-labour laws and restoring student and trade unions, and demanded a review of the privatisation process.

A delegation of the All Pakistan Trade Unions Organisation and Habib Bank Workers Front, called on Leader of the Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani at the Parliament House here on Tuesday.

The trade union leaders, including Habibuddin Junedi, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Haji Muhammad Yaqoob and Malik Muhammad Khan, thanked Prime Minister Gilani for restoring trade union activities and repealing the IRO-2002.

They also assured their support to the government and demanded a review of the privatisation process taken by the previous government. They sought restoration of the employees terminated during the past regime. They paid tribute to PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

Senator Rabbani termed IRO a black law that was enforced by the PML-Q government for protecting capitalists.

RWU: The central executive of the Railways Workers Union (Open Line) has welcomed the announcement of the prime minister of lifting a ban on trade unions and hoped that the announcement will be followed by clear notifications that will practically open the way for trade unionism in all public and private enterprises.

The central executive of the RWU held a meeting to discuss the PM’s announcement in which union office-bearers from across the country gathered to announce an All-Pakistan Workers convention to be held on the occasion of May Day in Karachi by which time the RWU expects the relevant legal steps to have been taken for all trade union activity to resume in Pakistan Railways (PR).

RWU general-secretary Rao Mohammad Naseem said at the meeting that under the guise of various draconian laws, Railways workers have been subject to repression.

PWF: Pakistan Workers Federation appreciated the prime minister for bringing labour laws in conformity with ILO conventions.

The federation also appreciated raise in minimum wages and the constitution of National Employment Commission, says a press release.

Our correspondent Attock adds: Muttahida Mehnatkash Mahaz (MMM) has welcomed restoration of trade unions and labour-friendly policy announced by the prime minister.

The decision will also protect the labour rights effectively as labour unions would help end exploitation of labour classes and accelerate industrialisation progress, president MMM Rana Liaqut Ali Khan told Dawn.

FFEU: Fauji Foundation Employees Union at its general body meeting lauded Prime Minister Gilani for repealing IRO-2002 and fixing a minimum wage of Rs6,000.

OANBP: The president and general-secretary of National Bank of Pakistan Officers Association Rawalpindi- Islamabad region, Raja Muhammad Saeed and Roohullah Jan in a statement also appreciated restoration of student and trade unions.