Workers' struggles
May Day in Pakistan - report of the activities of PTUDC Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
May Day in Pakistan saw rallies, meetings and seminars the length and breadth of the country, where the PTUDC, the BNT, YFIS-Pakistan, the comrades of The Struggle and many other youth and trade union organisations participating with a militant and determined mood.
 
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority daily wageworkers’ appeal Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
We received this appeal from the temporary, "daily wage", workers in the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. They have been working there for years but can be sacked at a moment's notice.
 
Trade Unions Conference on Assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Shahdadkot (Sindh) Print E-mail
Written by Zafar Imam   
Monday, 10 March 2008
We received this report with some delay, but we believe it is important as it shows how the PTUDC is sinking roots inside the labour movement in this important part of the Sindh region, gaining the support of 19 trade unions.
 
Unilever Rahim Yar Khan: The attacks on workers intensify…The struggle strengthens Print E-mail
Written by Haider Chughtai   
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Both permanent and temporary workers at Unilever in Pakistan have come under attack from the bosses, who would like to change their status to contract workers, thereby avoiding the payment of medical and other benefits. In defence of their jobs and livelihoods the workers have launched a struggle and called for union solidarity.
 
Unilever Pakistan: Workers protest against threats and repression by management Print E-mail
Written by Haider Chughtai (PTUDC Rahim Yar Khan)   
Wednesday, 03 October 2007
We often hear of the brutal conditions that workers have to suffer in underdeveloped countries. Here we have an example of a famous multinational, Unilever, which is making huge profits while paying starvation wages and using draconian measures when the workers dare to protest. Send messages of protest and let these workers know they are not alone.
 
Beginning of decisive struggle of Pakistani working class Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Monday, 10 September 2007
On September 7, the South Punjab Labour Conference was held in Multan with many delegates from workplaces and workers’ leaders present. The conference was organised by the Multan Joint Action Committee and the purpose of the gathering was to unite all the various struggles of the Pakistani workers on one platform.
 
Punjab schoolteachers on the move Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC Lahore   
Thursday, 03 May 2007
Punjab schoolteachers have launched a struggle in defence of their rights and for improved working conditions. The Punjab government has not paid the allowances announced in the last budget and are now planning to privatise the schools which were put under state control by the Bhutto government in the 1970s.
 
Signal Staff workers of Pakistan Railways on the move Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC Lahore   
Wednesday, 02 May 2007
After the successful mobilisation of stationmasters at Pakistan Railways, the signal staff have taken action for the improvement of their working conditions. Monstrously exploited, and working according to pay scales which have not changed since 1974, the workers are organising to struggle for their rights.
 
Threats to workers in struggle reinvigorates movement at Taunsa Barrage Print E-mail
Written by Adam Pal, in Kot Addu   
Friday, 13 April 2007
The workers of Taunsa Barrage upheld their end of the bargain. They agreed to return to work on the promise that all of their demands would be met within 48 hours. Not only have management not met these demands, they have hired thugs to threaten the workers and PTUDC activists.
 
Meeting in solidarity with Airbus workers in Multan Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 12 April 2007
The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign Multan held a meeting yesterday in solidarity with the Airbus workers. Participants were informed about the struggle of Airbus workers in France and other European countries, and discussed the campaign demanding the nationalisation of the company.
 
Workers’ struggle at Taunsa Barrage led by PTUDC puts capitalist extortionists on back foot Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
The workers of the Taunsa Bridge have won an important victory in their struggle for payment of wage arrears and improved working conditions. Most of their demands have been met, and the rest will be fulfilled within 48 hours.
 
Pakistan: Workers challenge the brutality of multinational corporation at Taunsa Barrage Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
A bitter strike has erupted at the Taunsa Barrage in Pakistan, as workers are demanding payment of wage arrears and better working conditions. One worker, whose wife was in hospital delivering a child, was beaten when he asked for payment of his wages to pay for proper medical care. His wife ended up dying in hospital due to lack of funds to pay for care.
 
State repression in Kashmir continues amid mass rallies Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Friday, 09 March 2007
The state in Kashmir has shown its true colors by increasing repression on comrades arrested yesterday when they were protesting for the basic demands of the peoples of Kashmir.
 
State repression against workers and youth in Kashmir Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 08 March 2007
A demonstration was called today to protest against the failure of the state’s reconstruction efforts in Azad Kashmir. The demonstration was brutally attacked by police. Several comrades have been injured and arrested.
 
Workers and teachers strike in Azad Kashmir Print E-mail
Written by Khalid Baber   
Friday, 23 February 2007
The Pakistani government has absolutely failed in its efforts to clean up and repair the damage caused in Kashmir by the earthquake in October 2005. The people of Kashmir cannot accept this situation any longer and the government has nothing real to offer the movement, except more promises.
 
Kashmir: a real beginning of class struggle! Print E-mail
Written by Yasir   
Friday, 23 February 2007
After waiting for more than a year for the government to act on the promises it made at the time of the earthquake disaster, the workers have finally lost their patience and come out in an all-out strike. This is just a taste of what is to come.
 
Hundreds of permanent employees expelled from Pakistan International Airlines Print E-mail
Written by Sheikh Majeed   
Thursday, 18 January 2007
The Pakistani state attacks the workers once more, this time at Pakistan International Airlines.
 
Workers in unity at All Pakistan Labour Conference Print E-mail
Written by Anti Labor Laws Workers Action Committee   
Wednesday, 10 January 2007
Workers in unity at All Pakistan Labour ConferenceThe All-Pakistan Labour Conference was held in Rawalpindi on December 19, 2006, bringing together some 500 delegates from unions and workers' associations from all across Pakistan. The goal of the conference was to unite the working class under one banner and to offer a solution to the problems and misery of the people in the struggle for socialism.
 
Countrywide protest by the workers of Loco Running Staff of Pakistan Railways Print E-mail
Written by Manzoor Razi   
Wednesday, 06 December 2006
The All-Pakistan Loco Running Staff Association of Pakistan Railways announced on November 21 that its workers would not transport any passengers or goods according to the law on work to rule because the company has not provided the required safety facilities or filled the necessary requirements of the government.
 
Joint PTUDC-Sindh Employees Alliance Conference against ban on Unions and IRO 2002 Print E-mail
Written by Haseeb Ahmed   
Tuesday, 28 November 2006
A successful conference organised jointly by the PTUDC and the Sindh Employees Alliance was held in Karachi on November 25. The event was held in protest at the banning of trade union in education, against the Labour Unions and Industrial Relations Ordinance (IRO) 2002 and to work towards unity of all sectors concerned.
 
Sindh Teachers Join PTUDC Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Tuesday, 17 October 2006
The Sind Employees’ Alliance, a joint body of teachers’ organizations, which has been involved in a long struggle for the right to represent teachers, has officially offered its unconditional support for the PTUDC.
 
Pakistan Peoples’ Party declares Finance Bill illegal Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Friday, 29 September 2006
Marxist MP and president of the PTUDC, Manzoor Ahmed, recently held a press conference where he announced the launching of a struggle against the Musharraf government's draconian changes to Pakistan's labour laws.
 
Sindh teachers defy state repression Print E-mail
Written by Janat Hussain   
Wednesday, 13 September 2006
Despite facing threats and state repression the teachers are determined to continue the fight against the ban on their union. The teachers have decided to observe September 15 as a “black day”, when the teachers all across Sindh will hold rallies and protests at their respective schools and colleges.
 
Struggle against the ban on Sindh Teachers' Union continues Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Friday, 25 August 2006
The struggle against the ban on the Sindh Teachers' Union continues while repression by the state increases. Today all the teacher's unions observed a "black day" across Sindh with a complete shut-down of all schools and colleges. Student unions also supported this boycott and participated in the struggle against the privatisation of education.
 
Sindh Teachers' Union ban: Lashes of the military regime - defiance of the teachers Print E-mail
Written by Saqlain Shah   
Wednesday, 23 August 2006
Sindh Teachers’ Union ban: Lashes of the military regime - defiance of the teachersOn a peaceful morning 2,000 teachers of the Sindh Employees Alliance, in which all the unions of teachers are united, gathered in front of the Karachi Press Club. They were holding banners and placards condemning the ban on teachers' unions and against the privatisation of schools and colleges. When the rally moved forward towards the chief ministers' residence they were encircled by the notorious Sindh police, which started to baton-charge and use other repressive measures.
 
Repression of teachers in Sindh - International action needed! Print E-mail
Written by Adam Pal   
Tuesday, 22 August 2006
All the teachers' unions of Sindh decided to hold a sit-in in front of the Chief Minister house on 22nd August as a protest against the ban on the Sindh Teachers' Union. General Musharraf and his toadies decided to crush the protest and started arresting teachers the night before the protest. Thousands of teachers were arrested across the Sindh province and were thrown into jail.
 
Report from Meeting in Taxila Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Saturday, 15 October 2005
PTUDC comrades in the small town of Wah Cantt arranged a meeting to speak to an audience of unionists, women, and youth about the real nature of the current war.
 
Left PPP MPs move bill to protect rights of the working class Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 24 June 2004
A group of Left PPP MPs, among them Manzoor Ahmed, the President of the PTUDC, have presented a bill with amendments to the draconian anti-working class IRO-2002. Among these is the call for the right to strike of workers of public utility services to be restored and labour courts to be empowered to reinstate sacked workers in their services with all benefits and facilities.
 
May Day in Pakistan Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Sunday, 11 May 2003
The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign's (PTUDC) national bureau announced before May Day that this year it would be celebrated in Pakistan as a "day of collective struggle of the working class against capitalism" and a "day of struggle for socialist revolution in Pakistan". On this basis May Day was celebrated all over the country with the same agenda. Here we are publishing reports of the main events held in different cities around Pakistan.
 
Pakistan: National meeting of PTUDC in Lahore Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 10 April 2003
On March 24 the PTUDC held a meeting in Lahore, which was attended by more than 300 PTUDC leaders and members who came from all over the country.
 
Pakistan: the plight of the agriculture workers Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Wednesday, 19 March 2003
We have received this report from the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) on the terrible conditions faced by one of the most downtrodden sectors, the agricultural labourers. The PTUDC is taking a courageous stand in their campaign to organise them into a union.
 
An appeal to support the Pakistani Postal Workers Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 13 February 2003
 
Pakistani Marxist MP, Manzoor Ahmed, speaks Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Tuesday, 14 January 2003
Based on his speeches during his recent tour of Britain.
 
PTUDC Lahore salutes the struggle of comrade Hameed Khan and all the Quetta trade unionists Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 18 July 2002
This is a report of the meeting held in Lahore to celebrate the release of Hameed Khan and the striking civil secretariat workers in Quetta.
 
PTUDC Karachi: Report of Hameed Khan release meeting Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Sunday, 30 June 2002
Report of the meeting held in Karachi to celebrate the release of the striking Quetta civil secretariat workers. Strike leader Hameed Khan received a standing ovation and thanked everyone who supported the PTUDC campaign, in Pakistan and internationally. Report by Sheikh Mohyuddin.
 
Hameed Khan and ALL Quetta strike Leaders and workers released! Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Sunday, 23 June 2002
They were released in the late hours of Friday, June 21 after two months of imprisonment in Quetta's central jail. All the workers have been released unconditionally and the cases against them have been withdrawn. This shows that even in most difficult of objective conditions battles of the class struggle can be fought and won. Report by Lal Khan, PTUDC International Secretary.
 
A new turn in the Baluchistan/Quetta strike movement Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 06 June 2002
The strike movement in Quetta has taken a dramatic new turn in the last couple of days. A general strike on Wednesday brought the whole city of Quetta to a standstill. This struggle has now entered a delicate and decisive phase. By Lal Khan, the International Secretary of the PTUDC.
 
More strike action in Baluchistan: Latest update on arrested trade unionists Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Monday, 20 May 2002
This is an update on the situation in Quetta. The leaders of the civil servants' strike are still in jail, and more layers of workers are moving into struggle.
 
Pakistan: Postal workers' leader Nazar Mengal once again under state attack Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Tuesday, 14 May 2002
Nazar Mengal, a leading PTUDC activist, is playing a key role in the present strike movement in Baluchistan. The authorities have moved him to a remote village and issued him with a show-cause notice. After the brutal repression of the civil secretariat strike the state does not want retaliation from elsewhere in Baluchistan, and they are targetting the PTUDC in particular.
 
Protest Demonstration in Kasur Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Friday, 10 May 2002
Today a protest demonstration was held in the city of Kasur in the East of Pakistan, to protest against the continuing imprisonment of the Quetta strike leaders, and the government's sacking of the 1,125 public sector workers who are on strike.
 
Model letters Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Tuesday, 07 May 2002
Here we present three letters, written by Mikhail Doronenko from the Russian section of the PTUDC, and sent to Pakistani President Musharraf, the federal interior minister, and the governor of Buluchistan. In Pakistan the PTUDC has stepped up its nationwide activity. However, international pressure has proved in the past to be decisive in getting the release of jailed trade unionists. We believe these to be model letters, and we encourage all our readers to follow this example.
 
Lahore protest demonstration for release of Quetta comrades Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Sunday, 05 May 2002
PTUDC Lahore today held a protest demonstration after the government announced the sacking of 1,125 striking government workers in Quetta. The PTUDC demands the release of those jailed, the reinstatement of all workers fired, and for the workers demands to be met. A message from jailed leader Hameed Khan was read out.
 
Press Coverage of the PTUDC demonstration in Lahore Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Sunday, 05 May 2002
 
May Day in Pakistan Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Friday, 03 May 2002
This is the report from the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign on the May Day activities that took place up and down the country. The main rallying slogan was for the release of the imprisoned strike leaders in Quetta, where Hameed Khan and around 150 others are still in jail, and that the only way out for the masses of Pakistan is the road of socialist revolution. The day was a great success.
 
May Day 2002 in Pakistan Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Friday, 26 April 2002
This is the PTUDC's May Day leaflet, which the PTUDC has produced along with posters which will be flyposted throughout the country. The strike in Quetta continues, and there will be protests, demonstrations and rallies throughout Pakistan.
 
Update on Baluchistan Civil Secretariat strike Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Thursday, 25 April 2002
Here is a short update on the situation in Quetta. The Civil Secretariat workers' protests are continuing, and there was also a demonstration of teachers today.
 
Quetta Civil Secretariat Strike Continues Print E-mail
Written by PTUDC   
Tuesday, 23 April 2002
The strike of public sector workers in Quetta, Baluchistan continues. Here are two articles that appeared in today's Dawn, the leading English language daily newspaper in Pakistan, followed by a short piece about the background to the strike. We thank everbody who has already sent in messages of solidarity and donations.