ISLAMABAD: The President today [Nov 3] promulgated the all embracing Industrial Relations Ordinance 1969 restoring the right of strike and lock-out to workers and employers after failure of bilateral negotiations and conciliation efforts.
The promulgation of the Ordinance which gives workers and employers right of association was followed by an announcement from the headquarters of the Chief Martial Law Administrator amending Martial Law Regulation 18.
The Regulation originally provided 14 years’ maximum punishment for a person who went on strike or brought about strikes, lock-outs and agitations in public utility works and installations, services and industrial concerns.
The amended Martial Law Regulation now withdraws the penal provisions which related to persons responsible for strikes and lock-outs in public utility works. The new legislation enforced from today throughout Pakistan repeals the East Pakistan Trade Unions Act, 1965, the East Pakistan Labour Disputes Act, 1965, the West Pakistan Industrial Disputes Ordinance, 1968, and the West Pakistan Trade Unions Ordinance, 1968. It seeks to amend and consolidate the law relating to the formation of trade unions, the regulation of relations between employers and workmen, and the avoidance and settlement of any differences or disputes arising between them.
Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2019
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