2 December, 2011International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation started campaign in support of six trade union leaders sentenced in Pakistan.
PAKISTAN: In 2010 the Government of Pakistan announced a raise in the minimum wage by 17 per cent. Following this decision in July 2010 the Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) started negotiations with employers for implementation of the according increase. Three weeks later the employers rejected union demands and refused to increase wages. To extend pressure on the employers, 100,000 workers in Faisalabad and surrounding areas came out on strike. Despite the peaceful nature of the action, the strikers have been attacked by thugs employed by the factory owners. Some suffered from shooting and beating.
Following clashes during the strike employers accused LQM union leaders for terrorism. Subsequently six leaders were arrested at a local police station. They are Akbar Ali Kamboh, Babar Shafiq Randhawa, Fazal Elahi, Rana Riaz Ahmed, Muhammad Aslam Malik and Asghar Ali Ansari. Four of them were arrested in July 2010, and the other two were arrested in July 2011 on the same charges. Early in November 2011 the Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan sentenced the six union leaders to 490 years in jail for terrorism offences, despite the lack of any legitimate evidence to justify their arrest and sentencing.
IMF supports the campaign demanding release of jailed union leaders started by the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) and calls on affiliates to give their support by sending letters of protests to Pakistan's Government at: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; as well as to the Supreme Court of Pakistan at [email protected].
To send an email protest letter to the Pakistani authorities and support workers visit the LabourStart campaign Pakistan: Release trade union leaders now.