Bulletin
number 1
Dec. 95
Sponsored by the
The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign has been initiated by the
Punjab Labour Federation, which is one of the biggest trade union federations
in
Because of his dedication and courage the workers had total trust and
confidence in him. He responded by giving his life in their cause. He dedicated
27 years of his life to the cause of labour.
We will not let his death to be in vain. The Punjab Labour Federation is
commited to continue his work. The bosses can murder
our members, they can never murder our determination
to fight for our own liberation.
As a result of the assassination of Arif Shah,
leading trade union activists have established the ‘Pakistan Trade Union
Defence Campaign’ by the Punjab Labour Federation, the United Labour
Federation, the Progressive Workers’
People are forced to live under bad health conditions, lower education,
insufficient clean water supply, bad electricity supply, broken roads, polluted
enviroment, prevailing
diseases. They are facing higher taxes, ever increasing unemployment,
drug addiction is common among youth.
Arif Shah’s murder is not an isolated act. Iqbal Masih, a 12 year old trade
unionist campaigning
all over the world for the abolition of child and bonded labour
in
Another trade unionist in the banking sector, Usman
Ghani, from the staff union in the Muslim Commercial
Bank Ltd., has been assassinated in Spetember for
fighting for workers rights.
These brutal murders show the difficulties facing trade unionists in
1) Defence of our trade unions from the physical attacks of the
employers. Defend our right to organise!
2) Stop the privatisation and plunder of state industries.
3) For a minimum wage for all.
4) The abolition of child labour.
5) The abolition of anti trade union laws.
6) The abolition of draconian fundamentalist laws against women. Equal rights for women.
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Initial sponsors of the campaign in
Tony Benn MP, Alan Simpson MP, Glyn Ford MEP, Christine Oddy MEP, Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, Jeremy Dear, NUJ NEC (personal capacity), Donald MacDonald, CWU NEC (personal capacity), Bill Morris TGWU, Arthur Scargill NUM, LP branches: Adamsdow, Castle Ward, Dore Ward, Leicester South CLP, Preston Ward, Southampton, Spinney Hill, Stockland Green, Stoke-on-Trent Contral CLP, Stoneygate, Univ. of Kent at Canterbury LC, Tynemouth YL, AEEU: Vauxhall Motors Shop Stewards Committee, ASLEF: East Finchley 67, CPSA: DSSA Benefits Agency, Leics., DSSA Cleveland, East London ES, Central London ES, CWU: National Broad Left, Birmingham&Black Country, East London Postal, Merseyside AMAL, SE Wales AMAL, COLE, GMB: APEX Cambridge Legal Aid, Fulham One, Glasgow 40, Norwich, London Central General APEX, GPMU: W.Yorkshire, MSF: North Teeside, Rugby District 7/0574, NATFHE: Tile Hill College, NUJ: Birmingham, NUT: Leeds, Oldham Association, RMT: Exeter Rail 0516, Willsden, TGWU: Merseyside 6/760, 7/148, Ellesmere Port 6/765, 2/202, UNISON: Gateshead local govt., Leeds local govt. 10, Sheffield 2, Birminham local govt. 1, Ipswich, North Tyneside 212, NW Water, London Council, Hackney,Trades Councils: Blackpool, Camden, Coalville&District, Ellesmere Port&Newton, Essex County Assoc., Glossopdale, Greenwich, Huddersfield