May 02, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1429

HYDERABAD, May 1: Workers, trade unions and others organisations mark the International Workers’ Day across Sindh on Thursday by holding rallies and demonstrations to pay tribute to the great sacrifices of labourers of Chicago in 1886.

They demanded that not only the Industrial Relations Ordinance (IRO) 2002 be abolished but new labour-friendly laws should also be introduced.

They regretted that minimum wage of Rs6000 announced by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani is not being paid to unskilled workers.

In Hyderabad, Pakistan Workers Federation brought out a rally from Sabzi Mandi roundabout which culminated at the press club.

Speakers included HDA Mehran Workers Union president, general secretary and others.

The gathering adopted resolutions demanding of the prime minister to implement his announcement for labourers, all labour related laws should be implemented, judges should be restored, non-development expenditure should be cut by 50 per cent, price-hike should be controlled, referendum should be held in HAD, interference of investors should be put to an end, industrial labour should be given appointment letters and they should be registered under EOBI, employees’ union should be accepted and sacked workers in government departments should be reinstated.

All Pakistan trade Union Organisations leaders and others at a separate rally said that despite change in government there had been no change in the attitudes of capitalists.

They said that still entrepreneurs were not issuing appointment letters to workers who were not being paid the minimum wage of Rs4,600 which was a blatant violation of law.

They said that present government had failed to control price hike despite their tall clams. They said people were committing suicides due to prices hike.

The labour leaders said that price of rice should be cut by 70 per cent by banning its export while oil should also be imported from Iran on the pattern of gas.

A rally was taken out by Bhandar Hari Sangat, Sindh Hari Porhiyat Council and Inquilabi Jamhori Workers Committee from Hyder Bux Jatoi roundabout to mark the day.

The speakers pledged to continue their struggle for ensuring minimum wage of labourers that were equivalent to one tola of gold as per ILO’s recommendation, abolition of Tenancy Act and contract system.

A programme on child labourer was organised at the district government secretariat by International Labour Organisation, National Rural Support Programme and Child Labour Project.

National Bank employees also staged a big rally demanding the reinstatement of sacked employees.

Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party brought out a rally. A meeting of PPP Hyderabad district was also held at Bhurgari House to mark the Labour Day.

Pakistan Human Rights Forum also staged a rally.

All Hyderabad Bangle Welding Contractors Workers Union organised a seminar at the press club.

In Khairpur, PPP MNA Nafisa Shah said that the illegally occupied government plots and agricultural lands in katcha areas would be vacated and the plots would be allotted to poor people and labour for construction of houses whereas the vacated agricultural land would be allotted to poor people of rural areas.

She said the Sindh chief minister had directed the DCO of Khairpur and revenue officials of the district to conduct survey and inquiry into such occupations.

She was speaking at a seminar organised by Muttahida Mazdoor Federation in Phool Bagh on Wednesday night.

She said that a survey was also being conducted to establish industrial zone in district Khairpur for which 300 acres of land had been identified.

She said that the district has the second biggest gas field of country in Nara taluka for which she had made negotiations in person and written to concerned ministries of federal government so that royalties could be paid to the district and technical and other labour of the gas field may be benefited.

In Nawabshah, activists of the District Workers’ Federation and other unions took out a procession.

Participants, including members of Wapda Hydro Electric Labour Union, Sindh Para Medical Staff Welfare Association, People’s Labour Bureau, Rickshaw Union, Beeri Union, and All Pakistan Clerks Association.

In Mithi, Jacobabad, and Mirpurkhas rallies were taken out by different labour unions.