Over 100 labour representatives of textile sector from all over the country have agreed to form a National Union of workers in textile sector to face the challenges of globalisation and anti-worker regimes in the country.
The new union will consist on workers from power looms, hosiery garment, spinning and leather garment industry Pakistan Institute for Labour Education and Research (PILER) announced here on Friday.
To achieve this purpose, a 17-member National Organising Committee of Textile workers have been formed to prepare a ground for the launching of a formal union and make contacts with worker in the country. Besides, a 7-member Standing committee has also been formed to prepare constitution and other legal formalities for the union.
This decision was made on Friday at the end of a two-day National Convention of Textile sector workers facilitated by PILER.
The convention was held at PILER Centre here on Thursday and Friday.
About 125 delegates of different unions of power loom, spinning, garment and leather garment workers attended the convention.
The delegates from all major industrial cities like Karachi, Lahore, Faislabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Multan, and other cities were of the view that 2/3 of total industrialist workers in the country were working in textile and textile related industry but they were deprived of rights guaranteed in the constitution and national laws.
Airing their woes, before reaching to agreement on formation of a national level union, labour representatives said that a large number of workers are deprived of social security, old age benefits, paid leave and other facilities. The situation of women workers in this sector is worst as they forced to work in night shifts without proper facilities and compensation.
The wages are very low and even survival have become difficult due to rising prices of daily use commodities. They were of the view that minimum wages of Rs 2500 or 3000 per month is a shame. "How can a seven-member family survive on this amount when prices are souring each day," asked a young worker from Faisalabad.
Earlier Karamat Ali, a veteran labour leader and Executive Director of PILER addressing the convention said that solution of workers problems lies only in unionisation and organisation. "Globalisation and end of quota system has brought many challenges to workers and you need to get united to face these challenges," he suggested.
He said there are 80,000 industrial and commercial units in the country but the number of CBA unions is only 2000 and out of which only 1000 are genuine unions. This is clear reflection of workers weakness.
Besides other factors, he added, long military regimes have also resulted in disintegration among workers.
Mohammad Ali Shah, chairperson Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum (PFF) while sharing PFF struggle success said that it was the unity and unionisation of fish workers that resulted in withdrawal of Rangers from fishing resources in Badin. "Nothing is impossible, workers can achieve their rights provided they are united and willing to participate in struggle," he added.
Shah was of the view that historical success of PFF is result of sacrifices and untiring struggle of fish workers who are very poor and marginalized. "PFF today has 13,000 members and 60 units."
Besides others Mian Qayoom, Sarfraz Khan, Abdul Razi, Rukhsana, Suhail Raza, Mohammed Tahir, Zuhair, Nazer Jan, Asmatuallah, Walid Zaman, Mahak Butt, Aijaz Ahmed, Omar Abass, Rehana Yasmeen and other representatives also spoke on the occasion.