TURCP Organized successful seminar, Public Sector Unions must act now
Trade Union Rights Campaign Pakistan organized a seminar in Press Club Lahore on 14th March to discuss the trade union situation in public sector. More than 200 trade unionists from the different public sector unions attended the seminar, which were addressed by the leaders of largest public sector unions. The office bearers of newly found Postal union were also invited to specially congratulate them for their brave and courageous struggle in very difficult situation. TURCP members played key role in the formation of this new union.
The speakers condemn the anti worker policies of the present government, which is implementing the vicious policies dictated by IMF and World Bank. The privatization policy being implemented by the military led government is intended to destroy the public sector. This policy has been implemented by the respective governments since 15 years. This vicious policy not only weekend the trade unions in the public sector, but also destroyed many large public sector industrial units. The government has banned trade union activities in many public sector corporations.
The speakers also stress the need for workers unity and mobilization to defeat anti workers policies. They strongly condemn the sacking of 2300 workers of Habib Bank (the recently privatized largest bank in Pakistan), which were sacked without any prior notice 3 days ago. They pledge their support for sacked workers. Those who spoke in the seminar were included, Fazl-e-wahid National secretary general Railway Workers union Workshops CBA Amin Bhatti Convener sacked workers action committee and secretary general PLB
Azad Qadri National organizing secretary TURCP
Khalid Bhatti National organizer TURCP
Fazal Abbas Shah National Chairman TURCP
Altaf Baluch President Mutthida Labour Federation (MLF) Punjab
Talat Mehmood Assam President Postal Employs and workers union
Asadulla Khan National secretary general Postal Employs and workers union
Lala Hanif National secretary general Telecom Lions Unity
Ahmmad Saeed, Shafique ahmad andothers.
This seminar was widely covered by all the main newspapers.
These resolutions were unanimously passed by the participants.
1- Repeal the IRO2002 and anti workers and unions labour policy 2002.
2- Immediately announce referendum in RMS section of postal services to determine collective bargaining agent CBA.
3- Stop the anti workers policies of downsizing, retrenchment, privatization, ban on trade union activities, cuts on wages and living standards.
4- Provide social security, old age pension and benefits to the private sector workers.
5- No to the Imperialist Financial institutions like IMF and World Bank.
6- Immediately reinstate the sacked workers of Habib Bank.
7- Full union rights in all public and private sector corporations, industries, businesses and departments, along with unconditional right of strike.