ISLAMABAD: A majority of labour unions decided on Thursday to form the Joint Forum for Common Cause and declared support for the countrywide long march planned by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).

The decision was announced at the National Labour Conference organised here by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER).

Eminent political economist Dr Pervez Tahir addressing the conference said that the policies formulated at the dictation of the International Monetary Fund were depriving working class of its rights.

“The tax exemption will also affect industrialists followed by the labour class and apathy of the government affecting purchase power of working class is becoming a serious concern,” he said, adding that the minimum monthly wage of Rs25,000 of Sindh should be implemented in other provinces too.

Karamat Ali, executive director of the PILER, said the unity of workers was the need of the hour. “After years of consultations, we have formed a committee for a national convention and a confederation of trade unions will also be set up.”

Mr Ali said that December 15 was the last day to apply for joining the confederation for the unions.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2021