(Posted courtesy of TEA-KOR from ILPS Info Bureau Jul.31, 2008)
Urgent—Urgent—Urgent—Urgent—Urgent-
Police Harshly Baton Charged and Arrested Workers in Naveena Textile
Naveena Textile Factory located 8 kilometer Raiwind Road, Lahore
800 workers working in harsh condition in Naveena Textile, having no appointment letters, getting less than minimum wage, working 10-12 hours, forced overtime, factory management is violating labor laws and not giving their very basic right, violating ILO Conventions.
On July 30, 2008 workers hold protest in front of factory gate under the banner of All Pakistan Trade Union Federation / and Communist Mazdoor Kisaan party in which more than 500 workers participated. Workers peacefully chanted slogans for the implementation of Minimum wage which is RS. 6000/-, Illegal Lock out and acceptance of their demands.
Nos of Police contingent were there:
While addressing workers Mr. Muhammad Ashraf, Secretary All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, Mr. Taimur Rehman, Secretary General CMKP, Mohammad Irfan CMKP, Muhammad Ilyas, Joint Secretary APTUF criticise the attitude of the management and the ruling government announced to increase minimum wages, not issue any notification to increase minimum wage, with the support of ruling elite management is using bad tactics and exploiting workers. Now we will not tolerate and allow any harsh act of capitalist to stop workers to not get their basic rights. They said if management not accept workers demands we will block all the industrial areas in Lahore. During speeches workers chanted slogans.
Suddenly police badly baton charged to workers and their leaders who lead the protest, used tear gas to disperse them. Workers resist and Police arrest the leaders of APTUF /CMKP along with 8 workers and put it in unknown area. After hours found them in Chaung police Station, which is very dangerous. Workers representatives are still arrest and in police custody. There is a great tension in Raiwing Road Industrial Area.
APTUF hold an emergency meeting and criticised local administration and police attitude harshly baton workers. It was decided to send a delegation to police station to meet arrested workers. And also meet Superintendent of Police
Our demands: Immediately Reinstate all workers Release all arrested office bearers and workers Increase Minimum Wage Implement labour laws
It is requested to all Trade Unions and Human right organizations to send Protest Message to:
Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani Prime Minister of Pakistan Prime Minister Secretariat Islamabad Tel: 92 - 051-9222666 Fax: 92 - 051-9221596
Mr. Salman Taseer Governor of Punjab Governor House Lahore-Pakistan Tel: 92-42-9200081-9 Fax:92-42-9203044 Email: governor.sectt@punjab.gov.pk
Sardar Doost Mohammad Khoosa Chief Minister House JOR, Lahore Lahore-Pakistan Tel: 92-42 9203222 Fax: 92-42-9203225
Mr. Ashraf Sohna Provincial Minister of Labour Civil Secretariat-Punjab Lahore, Pakistan Fax: 92-42- 9211580
Secretary Labor Punjab Civil Secretariat –Punjab 2 Bank Road, Old P & D Building Lahore Pakistan Fax: 92-42-9211580
Kindly send a copy of protest letters to rubinawwo@nexlinx.net.pk and Fax: No 92-42 –5314365. Message of solidarity send to: rubinawwo@nexlinx.net.pk; or Fax: 92-42-5314365.
An Injury to one is an Injury to all!
In solidarity,
Rubina Jamil Chairperson APTUF
APTUF/ CMKP will inform you the latest situation day by day.