PESHAWAR: The Labour Day rallies were held in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the provincial capital, to commemorate the historic sacrifices of labourers of Chicago, and to ask the government to frame workers’ friendly policies in order to protect them from exploitation. The participants also rejected the 10 per cent increase in workers’ salaries and pensions announced by the federal government in its recent budget, and demanded raise in wages equal to price of one tola gold.
In Peshawar, the Pakistan Workers Federation organised a rally outside the press club, with the participants holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for promotions, increase in salaries as per the prevailing price hike and provision of medical, education facilities.
Gul Zameen Khan, a provincial leader of the federation, urged the government to increase workers’ wages at the earliest. He said the rulers were plundering the national wealth, but they had no sympathy for the poverty-hit employees.
Demand increase in workers’ wages as per rate of one tola gold
He also opposed sacking of workers in the name of downsizing and retrenchment and asked for restoration of pay and pension committee to resolve the workers’ problems.
National Labour Federation provincial president Tila Mohammad led another rally in the provincial capital, and rejected the 10 per cent raise in salaries and pensions. He stressed the need that government should devise a labour policy in consultation with labourers’ representatives to stop exploitation of workers.
All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also took out rally from Atta Labour Hall, which culminated at Hashtnagri Chowk on the GT Road. The PWD labourers’ union also took out a rally from Hashtnagri to the press club.
Another rally was taken out jointly by workers of different political parties and civil society organisations from Firdus Chowk to Bacha Khan Chowk. The participants demanded of both federal and provincial government to approve their charter of demands which included increase in salaries of workers, upgradation, and free medical and education facilities.
In Timergara, Pakistan Peoples Party, Lower Dir chapter, held a rally to mark the World Labour Day.
The PPP workers and their leaders, including former provincial minister Mehmood Zeb Khan, former MPA Mohammad Zamin, district secretary information Alam Zeb and trade unions’ representatives walked on the road and gathered in front of the local press club.
On the occasion, PPP leaders paid rich tribute to the labourers who had sacrificed their lives at Chicago for rights of workers worldwide. They said the PPP was representing peasants, workers and poor masses. The speakers demanded of the government to fix minimum Rs30,000 salary of labourers.
A team of Al-Khidmat Foundation visited several workplaces and provided the labourers with meals and gifts.
In Kohat, labor unions of Pesco and textile mills demanded increase in salaries of workers according to the price hike.
They made the demand at a function held at Bacha Khan Library Hall under the aegis of Wapda hydro electric union. The function was also attended by labourers from the local textile mills.
On the occasion, hydro electric union chairman Younish Shah, secretary general Fauji Badshah and others said labourers had gained self-respect through their own efforts and struggle and enjoyed legal protections today.
In Karak, the united workers welfare association marked the May Day with a rally in Sabirabad Bazaar.
The association also held a ceremony attended by workers and people from various walks of life.
In Mingora, KP building decorators union organised a function in Kabal tehsil on the Labour Day to present the social workers and journalists with awards to acknowledge their services for betterment of labourers.
Office-bearers of the building decorators union said they wanted to celebrate the Labour Day by acknowledging the services of writers, journalists, social and political activists made for the labourers’ welfare.
In Haripur, Pakistan Mazdoor Kisan Tehreek (PMKT) called upon the government to formulate a labour policy in connection with the different projects being executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor so as to ensure the rights of labourers.
The PKMT also demanded of the federal and provincial governments to ensure registration of all the labourers with EOBI and social security. The demand was made at a meeting, the PMKT held in collaboration with labour welfare society at Hattar.
The speakers said under the CPEC a number of projects were in progress across the country, but no clear policy had been made public for the labour class.
They said it had not been explained whether the Chinese companies would be bound to hire local labour force and what would be the terms and conditions applicable to them (labourers) regarding their working hours, wages and other facilities.
The Labour Day functions were also held in Chrasadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Malakand protected area, Dir and other districts.
Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2018