KARACHI: Sindh has registered the country's first ever trade union of workers belonging to agriculture and fishery sector, "Sindh Agriculture and Fishing Workers Union" (SAFWU), consequent to amendment in the Sindh Industrial Relations Act 2013.
Labour leaders and activists working for the cause of labourers' rights in the country highly appreciative of the development urged other provinces to follow the suit in the larger interest of the people.
Known activist, Mehnaz Rehman said the law adopted by the provincial assembly was reflective of their desire to manifest devolution of power under 18th amendment in the constitution, has recognized entitlement of agriculture and fishing to all legal protection and benefits.
SAFWU registered with the office of the Registrar Trade Unions, Karachi under the provisions of Sindh Industrial Relations Act, 2013, comprises 400 members, including 180 women.
Labour Leader Zahoor Awan said Pakistan has ratified the ILO convention C-11, (Right of Association, Agriculture Convention) and also ILO core conventions including C-89 and 98 on the right to form unions and collectively bargain for their rights.
"Yet, Sindh is the only province to turn this commitment into law, and this should be an example for other provinces," said Zahoor Awan, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers Federation.
Representative of the ILO Pakistan Office, Syed Hassan Rizvi, referred to its particular importance for women.
"Unfortunately their productive contribution often goes uncounted and remains invisible, being part of a union gives them the opportunity to come together and make their voice heard," he said.
Activists in generally were largely hopeful that women work- force in the agriculture and fishery sector, often at the lower and more vulnerable parts of the value chain, were now better positioned to make their demands and negotiate better recognition and rewards for their work.
It must be mentioned that the amendment to the law and the establishment of the Agriculture and Fishing Workers' Trade Union gained significant strength through ILO project, Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE), funded by the Canadian government.
Several office bearers who led this effort to form the Union were trained by GE4DE on leadership, gender equality and paralegal skills and were supported in registering the union.
The project, that aims to improve women's skills and employment by working with government, employers, workers and media, identified agriculture as a sector where many women were employed in the most vulnerable, unprotected conditions.
Despite these decent work deficits, agriculture and fishing sector is an important source of employment for women in particular, many of whom do not have the skills or education to find alternative employment in the rural economy.
Gulfam Memon, Joint Director Labour and Gender Focal Person, Sindh Labour Department, commenting on the development said registration of the Union was an important step in turning the law into action.
"This will help agriculture and fishery sector workers negotiate better working conditions and enhance social safety nets and occupational safety and health coverage," he said.
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