The News on Sunday (TNS): What is the mandate of PWF?

Chaudhry Naseem Iqbal (CNI): The mandate of PWF is to promote industrial peace and harmony by promoting social dialogue and educating the trade unions. Struggling for decent work for the workers in Pakistan is also an essential mandate of the PWF.

This federation was formed in 2005 as a result of the merger of three leading national level federations. PWF attained its registration in the same year. One constituent federation of this newly merged federation, namely, All Pakistan Federation of Labour (APFOL), came into being in 1948, soon after independence. Other constituent federations of PWF, namely, All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions (APFTU) and Pakistan National Federation of Trade Unions (PNFTU), were formed in the sixties. Therefore, in terms of the period spent in servicing workers, PWF is the oldest federation in the country. It is an independent and non-political organisation. The af liated 473 belong to various sectors of the economy, including water and power, telecommunication, irrigation, textile, garments, leather, transport, gas, engineering, local bodies, banking, insurance, media, newspaper hawkers, mines, minerals, development authorities, works departments, sports & surgical goods, fertiliser, automobile, sugar, cement, chemicals, pharmaceutical, hotels, and metals etc.

It has a representative character in all the four provinces of Pakistan, with a total membership of 0.95 million. At the international level, this federation is af liated with International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The current new leadership consists of President, Mr Ch Nasim Iqbal, General Secretary Mr Ch Muhammad Yaseen, and Chairman Mr Abdul Salam Baloch.

TNS: What is the biggest threat to trade unionism?

CNI: The biggest threat to trade unionism is difficulties/hurdles created by the government. It is nearly impossible in Punjab, especially to form a new real representative union. Poverty, lack of industrial growth, unorganised informal sector, and pocket unions also threaten trade unionism.

TNS: Is trade unionism anti-work as claimed by employers?

Union’s role is of a mediator for healthy communication between the workers and employers to ensure maximum productivity for the employer’s benefit and that the workers’ legal rights are given to them.

CNI: No, it is not; indeed, it is a relief for the employer if they understand. Union’s role is of a mediator for healthy communication between the workers and employers to ensure maximum productivity for the employer’s benefit and that the workers’ legal rights are given to them. The union cannot demand any illegal benefit that is against the law in its charter demand.

TNS: How does PWF strengthen trade unionism? Give some examples/success stories.

CNI: Action and awareness are key strengths of any movement. i.e. our union’s forward gear in Sialkot was very much militant when it came to workers rights. The employer was about to close the factory as he was afraid of them. Still, after proper sensitisation by PWF, the union understood the importance of social dialogue, and now the union and management are both happy. Registration of domestic workers unions and organising them is also one of the prominent success stories of PWF in organising the informal sector.

TNS: What are the biggest threats the trade unions are facing?

CNI: In my opinion, one threat is the divide in the trade union movement in Pakistan. Unity with one point agenda with a focus on workers welfare can help in minimising this threat. The unity in the movement has become the need of the day now as the ratio of the organised workforce is falling day by day.

TNS: How does PWF see the future of trade unions. Is there a plan to tackle pocket unions?

CNI: The future of trade unions, according to my understanding, is bright as the new generation that has come up and is taking positions in the movement is educated and understands the importance of social dialogue, effective use of social media, and other tools. I also foresee that the trade unions will have an important role in Pakistan’s politics in the future.

The interviewer is a staff reporter and can be reached at shahzada.irfan@gmail.com