Workers in Karachi held a protest rally from Regal Chowk to the Press Club against the suppression of union activities and threats to union representatives. The demonstration was organized by the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) Pakistan and was attended by workers from various industries, led by NTUF Pakistan leader Riaz Abbasi. Participants included representatives of several labor organizations, including the Peoples Labor Bureau, Pakistan Workers United Federation, and Pakistan Railway Workers Union, as well as members of political, social, and human rights groups.
NTUF General Secretary Nasir Mansoor, addressing the protesters, stated that union formation, a constitutional and democratic activity, is being wrongly labeled as terrorism. He criticized the criminalization of workers’ basic demands, including minimum wage, social security, pension benefits, working hours limits, and regular employment contracts. Mansoor compared some industrial units, particularly textile and garment factories supplying global fashion brands, to jails. He cited a recent incident at MI Industries in Karachi where employees were allegedly dismissed for unionizing, and a female worker representative was harassed and subjected to violence. Mansoor also revealed that union leaders are receiving death threats from local criminals.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Sindh Vice Chairperson Qazi Khidr affirmed that labor rights are fundamental human rights and violations of these rights are a breach of national and international laws. He reiterated HRCP’s commitment against the mistreatment of workers. Peoples Labor Bureau Sindh President Habibuddin Jonejo declared unwavering support for the workers’ right to a minimum wage. IndustriALL Global Union’s Textile and Garment sector Co-chair Zahra Khan argued that industrial progress in Pakistan requires employers to abandon anti-labor attitudes and adhere to national and international labor laws, including the European Union’s Due Diligence law, Pakistan Accord, and GSP Plus.
NTUF Sindh General Secretary Riaz Abbasi condemned alleged attempts to legitimize illegal contracting practices under the Sindh Labor Code and criticized the Labor Department’s actions, also alleging corruption in the Sindh Workers Welfare Board. Several other labor representatives and activists also addressed the gathering.