ISLAMABAD: PPP leader and former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani on Saturday asked the government to immediately withdraw “The Essential Services Act”, which has been enforced in a number of organisations such as PIA and Pakistan Railways.

As a result of this act, trade union activities have been banned and there are no collective bargaining agents. The working class is at the mercy of the management.

He said in a statement that the working class in Pakistan was going through a period of oppression and suppression both at the hands of the state, big business, multinational companies and feudal.

“Police in rural areas work under the patronage of the feudal that is why serious crimes there go unreported,” he said in a statement.

He said the trade union activities should be allowed in the banking industry. The government must ensure that the minimum wage is implemented by the employers.

Mian Raza Rabbani said that the working class must get representation in Parliament, by having seats reserved for them. It is sad that political parties have not raised this issue.

He demanded a parliamentary committee to review anti labour laws and provide relief to the working class, at a time when prices of essential commodities are touching the sky.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2022