April 26, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1429

LAHORE, April 25: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the government to consult the industry on the trade unions issue and prescribe the basic rules in consultation with the employers.

In a statement issued here on Friday, APTMA Punjab President Akbar Sheikh said workers and employers lacked awareness about working norms of trade unions as well as the employers as trade unionism had been banned since 1977. An awareness initiative to enable all concerned to understand the rationale of trade unionism was, therefore, necessary before the revival of trade union activity. Only gradual introduction of trade unions would bring meaningful benefits to workers.

He said collectivism had benefits if channeled in the right direction and that trade unions had an important and responsible role to play. Any trade union activity that ran counter to the interests of the economy or was in conflict with the larger public good would be insidious for the interests of the working class as well.

He said the revival of trade unionism was likely to affect the economy at the present juncture of economic development when production and trade, particularly exports, were in a very fragile and vulnerable state.

He said that the textile industry, the principal host of trade unions, was overstretched and was confronted with serious structural issues, supply chain management and market access issues. The high cost of conducting business added to the woes of the industry which was paying the highest price for electricity in the world. The economy depended on the industry as textiles contributed 9 per cent to GDP, 60 per cent export receipts and provided employment to 40 per cent workforce in the manufacturing sector. Any setback to the industry would have disastrous consequences for the economy. At a time when the sinking industry was seeking investment-friendly policies and struggling hard against heavy odds to keep itself afloat, its unplanned and abrupt subjection to trade unionism was likely to upset the country's delicate economic balance.

He said there was need for trade unionism to be organised functionally to contribute positively to socio-economic aspirations of the nation. It was imperative that trade unionism adapt changing economic conditions that were experienced globally.