Unions banned in Baluchistan

 

Baluchistan represents 2/3 of the total land area of Pakistan and is very rich in mineral and natural reserves. but at the same time as far as people and workers are concerned it is one of the poorest areas . This is the most backward area in relation to education standards, housing, transport, industry and many other fields.

 

On November 17th 1995 the Provincial government unanimously decided to ban all trade union activities from government institutions. All public empolyees were banned from belonging to any organisation to defend their democratic and economic rights. The government also instructed the managers of the different institutions to take legal action against any existing trade union or workers association in their departments.

 

Trade unions and Associations strongly condemned this decision as hostile to the workers rights and decided to organise a movement of  protest. This step taken by the provincial government reveals the real policy of the government and the bureaucracy against the oppressed nationalities and classes of this country. It is a clear and vicious attack on the democratic rights of workers.

In the present situation of increasing exploitation, privatisation, cuts, etc they want to suppress any voice that could oppose these measures. Therefore we appeal to all trade union organisations inside the country and internationally to protest against this decision. The workers in Baluchistan need your solidarity to defend their basic democratic union rights.

Imran Ali