Read this article in:
8 May, 2000Pakistani workers should see the restoration of their workplace rights.
PAKISTAN: According to a Labour Watch Asia news bulletin, the government of Pakistan has lifted its ban on trade unions at the Water and Power Development Authority. The ban dates back to December 1998 when the former government of Nawaz Sharif turned over the management of Wapda to the military and promulgated Ordinance XX, a ruling prohibiting trade union rights and activities for over 100,000 members of the Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union.
Following a complaint lodged in February 1999 by the IMF-affiliated All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions with the International Labour Organisation, the ILO Experts' Committee recommended a six-point indictment against the government of Pakistan. The ILO warned earlier this year that if Pakistan did not restore workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining by May 2000, the Geneva-based organisation would request the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to suspend assistance to Pakistan. On April 10, the government assured the ILO that it would soon lift restrictions on trade union rights for the Wapda workers.
Other encouraging signs for the working population of Pakistan is that May Day has been restored as a public holiday and the government is reportedly studying a plan of action for the elimination of child labour.
Following a complaint lodged in February 1999 by the IMF-affiliated All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions with the International Labour Organisation, the ILO Experts' Committee recommended a six-point indictment against the government of Pakistan. The ILO warned earlier this year that if Pakistan did not restore workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining by May 2000, the Geneva-based organisation would request the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to suspend assistance to Pakistan. On April 10, the government assured the ILO that it would soon lift restrictions on trade union rights for the Wapda workers.
Other encouraging signs for the working population of Pakistan is that May Day has been restored as a public holiday and the government is reportedly studying a plan of action for the elimination of child labour.