PESHAWAR: Voicing anguish over what they called discriminatory attitude being meted out to them, the trade unionists and labourers from the Frontier province Friday asked the Awami National Party-led government to take pity on the people and ensure cheap electricity, gas, bread and provide Rs6,000 as minimum wages to labourers.
“The financial condition of the labourers, who are playing a vital role in country’s development, is constantly getting worse despite our numerous sacrifices. Majority of the labourers, working in various factories were not getting more than 3,000, which is an injustice,” the trade unionists asserted on the eve of the International Labour Day, which was observed on Friday with an aim to pay tributes to the workers, who laid down lives for their rights in Chicago in 1886.
Pakistan Hydro Electric Central Labour Union, (PHECLU) Pakistan Workers Federation, Khyber Union of Journalists, All Pakistan Federation of Labour, Durrani Group, Pakistan Railway Employees Union and trade unions and federations observed the day by holding special meetings, processions, and rallies.
The union leaders appealed to the working class to demonstrate unity for a joint struggle to establish a system based on democracy, equality and fraternity and elimination of exploitation of common man.
A joint event was arranged by Pakistan Hydro Electric Central Labour Union, Pakistan Workers Federation, Khyber Union of Journalists at the Nishtar Hall. The meeting was largely attended by people from various segment of society besides, Mohammad Iqbal, provincial chairman of PHECLU, Mohammad Riaz, president, Khyber Union of Journalist, Shamim Shahid, president, Peshawar Press Club, Mian Sajid, president, PTV Union and leaders of the Pakistan Workers Federation were also present on the occasion.
PHECLU provincial chairman Mohammad Iqbal demanded of the provincial government to provide roti (bread) at the rate of Rs2, as being provided to the people of Punjab.
“The ANP-led government should provide electricity to the people of the province at Rs2 per unit as Punjab is providing bread to the people at Rs2. Punjab is producing wheat where bread is available at Rs2 and we are producing power, so it should be given to us at the same price per unit,” he demanded, saying despite the fact that the Frontier province was producing electricity and gas, the people were getting expensive utilities as compared to Punjab.
Vowing to continue his struggle for the rights of the poor labourers, he said they would have to snatch their rights, as these “imperialist forces” would never give them their rights easily. KhUJ President Mohammad Riaz said it was the labourer class, which runs the system of the world. If they stop working, the world system would paralyse, he added.
In his speech, Shamim Shahid said it was a misfortune of this region has always remained battlefield due to which no socio-economic development could be carried out.
All Pakistan Federation of Labour, Durani Group, arranged a gathering at Durrani Labour Hall to pay tribute to those who rendered sacrifices for the rights of labourers in Chicago. Provincial Health Minister Syed Zahir Ali Shah was chief guest on the occasion.
Federation Central President Aurangzeb Durani said the labour class was still deprived of their rights, calling upon the government implement in letter and spirit the minimum wage law which was Rs6,000 per month.
“What the labour departments need to do is to monitor the factories and companies to ensure the payment of minimum wages to the labourers. Majority of the workers in the factories were not getting more than Rs3,000 which is very little amount for them to feed their families,” he added.
Being the frontline in the war against terror, he said NWFP should be declared as war-affected area for which special package should be given to revive the economy. On the occasion, Minister Zahir Ali Shah assured the labour class that the government was making all-out efforts to give them maximum relief.
The Public Transport Owners Association NWFP also held a public meeting in memory of Chicago labourers. Jehangir Afridi, the association president, asked the government to consult experienced transporters in the construction of the proposed new bus-terminal
Muttahida Rickshaw Driver Union, Sarhad Suzuki Drivers Union and Ittehad Local Transport Federation held separate rallies marching through various city routes and reached Peshawar Press Club where labour leaders made speeches for the rights of labourers.
Pakistan Railway Employees Union (PREM), Peshawar division held a meeting at the PREM office to pay tributes to those killed in Chicago. PREM President Abu Saeed Jafri said it was the Chicago labourers who raised awareness among the working class about their rights. He underlined the need for unity among the working class, saying nobody could prevent labourers from achieving their rights if they were united.
Action Committee Khazana Sugar Mills took out a Labour Day procession from Nishtar Hall to the Peshawar Press Club. The committee Chairman, Aurangzeb Khan, demanded the government to give remaining dues to those former employees who were sacked from the mills.
The UBL Retrenched Officers Association staged a protest camp outside the Peshawar Press Club for the acceptance of their demands. The association’s Provincial Chairman Javed Gul said retrenched officers were given 50 per cent benefits in 1997 while former officers of other banks were given 100 percent benefits under the golden handshake scheme.
Apart from all that, there were many poor people who did not off their day as they could not afford to do so. A 22-year-old labourer, Ali Jan, working in a brick kiln on the outskirts of the city, said he had nothing to do with the observance of the Labourer Day.
“I don’t know what is its history, but I know one thing that I can’t afford any holiday, because I have to feed my family,” he said. Another daily-wager, Said Gul, was also unaware of the significance of the day. “I sell bananas on a cart. I can’t afford day-off. I do not avail any day-off even on Sundays or Fridays,” Gul said.
No comments:
Post a Comment