Activists of Working Women Organisation (WWO) held a protest demonstration in front of the Lahore Press Club on Saturday in connection with May Day, to condemn dearness, gender discrimination, contract system and amendments in labour laws. Dozens of women working in various public and private sector organisations of Lahore were carrying placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands. They also chanted slogans against the government policies and called for repealing 'anti-labour laws.' They also paid homage to the martyrs of Chicago and urged the working women to forge unity in their ranks to fight for their just rights.
WWO leaders Rubina Jamil, Salma Fayyaz, Hafiza Nisar, Salma Liaqat, Nabila Gulzar Advocate, Parveen Ashiq, Sajida Farid and others led the demonstration.
Addressing on the occasion, Rubina Jamil said: "we do not observe May Day as just a day but rather consider it a movement against tyranic forces, exploitation and unjust practices in society, especially against the women folk."
She demanded that exploitation of working women should be stopped and their wages must be brought at par with their male colleagues. She claimed that 45 percent women faced mental torture at workplace, 35 percent physical torture, while 25 percent undergo sexual harassment at their workplace. "No society can develop without elimination of gender discrimination and granting equal status and dignity to women," she added.
The participants of the demonstration through unanimously adopted resolutions on the occasion demanded withdrawal of amendments in Industrial Relations Ordinance (IRO) 2002; ensuring implementation of ILO approved conventions, legislation against sexual harassment of women at workplaces; elimination of gender discrimination, fixation of Rs 7,000/- as minimum wages of women and establishment of daycare center for children of working women. They also urged the government to abandon the privatisation of state-run institutions and take necessary steps to control the price hike.
Rubina Jamil announced that WWO will also observe May Day with fervour and full enthusiasm and a procession will be held from Shimla Hill to Mall road on Sunday.
Comments
Comments are closed.