LAHORE: Demanding all workers be reinstated, different labour organisations on Tuesday took out a protest rally in the city against, what they called, persistent layoffs, non-payment of salaries, cuts in pays and pensions.

According to the Workers Solidarity Committee, a conglomerate of labour unions and sponsor of the Tuesday protest, the rallies were taken out in more than 30 cities across the country to speak out against “attacks on the working class and organize workers”.

Addressing the participants, speakers said that it was a labor-hostile government which was giving more than Rs1,500 billion to the big capitalists in various forms. The prime minister, ministers and the government institutions care about the big capitalists but not the workers.

“We demand that all the sacked workers be reinstated in their jobs and their salaries paid in full, without any deductions on different excuses. In addition, there should be no cuts in pensions. Instead of filling the pockets of the capitalists, the government should give full pension to workers,” the committee says.

The Lahore rally was held at Kot Lakhpat and attended by workers, political activists and students.

This united front includes the Awami Workers Party, Pakistan Trade Union Federation, National Trade Union Federation, Mazdoor Mahaz, Women’s Democratic Front, Mehnatkash Tahreek, Revolutionary Socialist Movement, Workers Democracy, National Students Federation, the PRSF and other organizations.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2020