Trade unions team up to fight for rights of workers including those in media

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 16 May 2017

Trade unions from Rawalpindi and Islamabad have formed the All Pakistan Mazdoor Ittehad Action Committee to collectively advocate for workers' rights. A rally is planned for May 23 to press for an increase in minimum wages and other labor rights.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - Trade Unions of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have joined hands to launch a united struggle for achieving the rights of the workers including those in the media, and to fight for the labor cause under one banner.

Representatives of over three dozen unions gathered at the National Press Club Monday where they formed the All Pakistan Mazdoor Ittehad Action Committee to jointly struggle for the rights of the laborers and workers of public and private sector, including the media industry.

The meeting, attended by all the known trade union leaders of the twin cities, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), was the third in the series of consultations for a joint struggle.

The meeting decided to form an Action Committee.

The three-point agenda agreed by the leaders to be pursued as common objective includes increase in the minimum wages of laborers from Rs16000 to Rs20000, end contract system and outsourcing of labor in public sector organizations and an end to privatization in the public sector.

It was decided that a joint rally would be organized on May 23 before the budget to press for the acceptance of these demands. A protest camp would also be set up outside the parliament after the rally.

The meeting formed three sub-committees. The Coordination Committee, comprising a representative each from the allied trade unions, has been assigned to meet politicians from all shades of opinion to muster support for their demands.

The other two committees will be working for making arrangements for the May 23 rally and the camp.

The Action Committee will be widened in future and efforts would be made to provide a single platform for the trade unions across the country.

KEY POINTS:

• Formation of All Pakistan Mazdoor Ittehad Action Committee
• Focus on rights of media workers and other labor sectors
• Planned increase in minimum wages from Rs16000 to Rs20000
• Protest rally scheduled for May 23 before the budget
• Sub-committees established for political engagement and rally arrangements