Karachi
Textile and garment factory workers in Pakistan are in no better condition than modern day slaves, and the government, factory owners as well as international labour organisations have turned a blind eye to the concerned authorities’ absolute failure to improve their working conditions.
This was observed by various trade union leaders and office bearers of the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) on Sunday at a press conference held to express solidarity with victims of Bangladesh’ Rana Plaza tragedy – 1,129 workers had died while 2,515 other were seriously injured when the building housing a garment factory collapsed in Dhaka three years ago.
The speakers also paid tribute to the 260 textile workers that perished in the Baldia factory, Ali Enterprises - fire, on September 11th, 2011. They said the tragic incidents were a manifestation of deliberate and criminal negligence and violation of labour laws in factories and mills, especially in textile and garment factories.
The speakers regretfully observed that both in Pakistan and Bangladesh labourers were deprived of their basic rights guaranteed to them under the constitution.
Speaking of factories functioning illegally, the speakers observed that the number of illegal factories was growing and nobody bothered to get them registered, while the process of labour inspection had been suspended by the government due to pressure of factory owners.
This was mainly why millions of workers in textile and garment sector had been facing brutal exploitation at the hands of their employers, they opined.
International capitalists and companies were earning billions of dollars annually while labourer continued to earn meagre wages, the speakers observed, adding, that laws ensuring workplace health and safety, decent wages and social security for workers were being violated with impunity.
The labour leaders said that workers were deprived of basic rights of appointment letters, minimum wages, eight-hour working hours, registration with social security institutions, right to form labour unions and CBAs and facilities of health and safety.
This was why tragic incidents like Ali Enterprises and Rana Plaza occur, the leaders observed. They said the governments, factory owners and international brands were collectively responsible for such tragedies, as it was due to their negligence that thousands of workers lose their lives.
The government had failed to take solid measures to avoid these tragedies; despite several court verdicts and international treaties the factories and workplaces were war fields for workers.
The government departments, factory owners, international brands and social audit companies had formed an unholy alliance which had increased chances of incidents like Baldia factory tragedy manifold, the speakers further observed.
They called for implementation of labour laws and international safety standards in all factories. All international brands and local brands were asked to be bound to follow local and international labour laws.
The labour leaders welcomed the workers’ movement n Bangladesh which strong-armed the authorities in giving the workers their due rights. However, in Pakistan heirs of labourers who perished in the Baldia factory fire were still running from pillar to post to get justice.
Three years have passed but the government, factory owners and international brands had failed to meet the demands of the affectees, the speakers added. The international brand KIK had already backtracked from the agreement of paying compensation to the labourers and the government had also failed to fulfil its promises, observed the speakers.
The speakers called for international organisations to play the same role for victims of Ali Enterprises as they played for the Rana Plaza tragedy with respect to payment of compensation as per the law.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the German government were demanded to compel the German brand KIK, to accept its responsibility and meet the demands of the heirs.
The speakers demanded for international brands to ink an agreement with Pakistan similar to that signed in Bangladesh where the brands were to ensure the rights of workers; the use of social audit certifications and code of conduct as alternate to labour laws be declared illegal.
International brands should be bound to accept the international labour standards; the system of labour inspection should be revived and made more effective.
The obligations of following human and labour rights under the GSP Plus be fulfilled and labour organisations be included in the process of issuing audit certificates of local and international audit companies.
Survivors and heirs of Ali Enterprises be issued lifetime pension cards, group insurance and gratuity, demanded the speakers.
The prime minister, Sindh chief minister and business tycoon Malik Riaz were demanded to deliver on their promises.
All factories were called to be registered under the Factory Act, while all should be given the right to form labour unions.
Those who at the presser included trade unionist Rafiq Baloch, president National Trade Union Federation Nasir Mansoor, deputy general secretary NTUF Gul Rahman, president NTUF Sindh chapter and leaders of association of affectees of Baldia Tragedy Saeeda Khatoon, Abdul Aziz and Muhammad Jabir. A demonstration was also held following the press conference, to express solidarity with the martyrs of Rana Plaza tragedy.
