8 September, 2014Twelve garment workers and trade unionists from IndustriALL affiliate National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) have finally been acquitted of extortion and terrorism.
Charges against the 12 workers were brought in 2012; they were accused of engaging in political activities Under the Pakistani Anti-Terrorist Act. Six of the accused workers were arrested and tortured at the local police station in Karachi. They were later released on bail.
After enduring a long trial with more than 100 hearings, the twelve activists were finally acquitted on 29 August.
IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina welcomes the acquittal:
We are happy to see the end of this struggle after a drawn-out trial. We will support our affiliate and their relentless fight for trade union rights in Pakistan.