Workers protest contract system, seek labour rights in Pakistan’s Karachi

Workers and rights activists organized a rally from Regal Chowk to the Karachi Press Club in Pakistan, calling for the abolition of the contractual employment system, implementation of labour laws and stop the privatization of state institutions

The rally was jointly organized by the National Trade Union Fed­eration Pakistan (NTUF) and the Home-Based Women Wo­r­kers Federation Pakistan (HBWWF). Led by Zehra Khan and Riaz Abbasi, the protest witnessed a massive participation of workers, including women carrying banners and placards highlighting their demands.

Addressing the rally, Nasir Mansoor of NTUF alleged that the Sindh and Punjab governments were conspiring to legalize the illegal third-party contract system. He further demanded legal action against anti-worker measures. Protesters also called for permanent emplo­yment, written appointment letters and proper wages through bank accounts for all workers. 

“We will take legal action agai­n­st these anti-worker measures nationally and internationally, particularly in Switzerland. Con­tacts with other South Asian lab­our organisations had also begun for a united response,” Mansoor said, accusing the ILO of violating Convention 144, as per a Dawn report. 

Habibuddin Junaidi of the People’s Labor Bureau Sindh highlighted the struggles of the working class in Pakistan and the need for making necessary changes to secure their constitutional and legal rights.

Zehra Khan of HBWWF said that the Sindh Labour Ministry’s incompetence resulted in 90% of workers in Sindh remaining deprived of minimum wages. 

Over 2.7 million workers faced workplace accidents annually, while more than 200 miners died every year due to unsafe conditions, according to the leaders of the protesting groups.

Workers and rights activists also asked authorities to implement labour laws in workplaces and proper registration of all workers with pension institutions.

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