4 day long strike forced the government and owners to accept the demands
More than 2,50,000 power looms (small weaving units) remained close for 4 days in the third largest city of Pakistan and hub of textile industry, called Manchester of Pakistan, Faisalabad. The reason of this closure was the significant strike of power looms workers. Thousands of workers march through the main industrial areas and build the solidarity for striking workers. More than 50,000 workers went on strike and thousands other decided to join. The provincial government immediately intervened and announced to implement the agreement and fulfill the promises made in the past. The workers end the 4 day long strike and mass demonstrations after the negotiations with government.
The strike started when the power loom owners attacked a peaceful workers demonstration which was organized to press the owners to implement the agreement signed by the owners and workers. The workers organized peaceful protest demonstration in Sadhar industrial area near the Faisalabad airport. The workers decided to march towards the factory of main leader of power loom owners association and PML-Q MP, Aasif Ajmal. He refused to listen to the workers leaders and instead open fire on the workers which seriously injured 9 workers. This attack provoked the workers and they set on fire the factory of PML-Q MP. The workers also ransacked some other factories. As soon as this news spread across the city, the workers stop the work and took out peaceful protest demonstrations. The workers announced an indefinite strike against this brutality. The workers action committee announced the strike for an indefinite period. The strike remained strong and solid for 3 days and thousands of workers took out protest demonstrations across the city in different industrial areas. The strike and mass actions paralyze the local administration. The workers were demanding the arrest of factory owner involved in the firing and implementation of agreement. The strong protest demonstrations and solid strike forced the authorities to arrest the accused and send him to prison and announced to implement the agreement.
The power loom workers are demanding the social security cover in the industry and increase in the wages. The owners are using delaying tactics in the implementation of the agreement. These workers are working in very poor and inhuman conditions. They have to work whole their lives because there is pension rights and other facilities available to them. The average wages are 25 to 35 pounds per month. These workers have also been deprived of their right to organize unions at work place. In last few years, the workers have started to organize themselves under the banner of workers action committees in different industrial areas. Nearly one million workers are employed in more than 2,50,000 power looms in the city. This strike has big impact on the workers of different industries in Faisalabad and surrounding areas. This strike shows the anger and potential that exist in the working class. Power loom workers are fighting for their rights from many years but struggle has intensified in last 3 years, as workers have become better organize to challenge the owners and authorities.
TURCP actively intervened in the strike and mass protests. TURCP produce special leaflet and distributed among the striking workers and demonstrations. TURCP members actively participated in the organization of strike and demonstrations. TURCP is building its reputation as a fighting workers organization in this second largest industrial city of Pakistan.