HBWWF, NTUF Labor Unions Rally in Karachi Against Contract Labor System and Wage Violations

19 Jan HBWWF, NTUF Labor Unions Rally in Karachi Against Contract Labor System and Wage Violations

The National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF) and the Home-Based Women Workers Federation Pakistan (HBWWF) organized a joint rally from Regal Chowk to the Karachi Press Club. The rally protested against wage nonpayment, the contract labor system, crimes against international fashion brands, privatization of institutions, and anti-labor and anti-environment policies.

The rally, led by Comrades Zehra Khan and Riaz Abbasi, witnessed a massive participation of workers, including women carrying red flags, banners, and placards highlighting their demands.

Other who addressed the workers’ rally included Gul Rehman of the Movement for Labor Rights (MLR), Comrade Ramzan Memon and Shahina Ramaza of National Party,  Transgender activist Kami Chaudery, Ghulam Mehboob of the PC Hotel Union, Mehboob Khan of the WAPDA Union, Waim Jameel, Amar Maqsi, Khaliq Zardran of Awami Huqooq, Comrade Manzoor Razi of railway union, Comrade Sultan and Comrade Jannat, Ruqqia M Hanif of the United HB Workers Union, Anny and Parveen Bano of the Zardosi Workers Union, labor leaders, Aqib Hussain of the Alternate, Bilawal Shah, Shahzad Mughal, Waqas Qureshi, Advocate Ahsan Mahmood, Noorddin Advocate, Himmat Ali Phulpoto of Textile and Garment Union, Iqbal Abro, Buland Iqbal, Rabil Abro and others were present.

During rally Nasir Mansoor of NTUF said that the Sindh and Punjab governments, in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), were conspiring to legalize the illegal third-party contract system. He accused the ILO of violating Convention 144, which advocates for tripartite consultation. The contract labor system deprived workers of their basic rights and identity.

Mansoor said that legal action will be taken against these anti-worker measures nationally and internationally, particularly in Switzerland. Contacts with other South Asian labor organizations had also begun for a united response.

Addressing the rally attendees, Habibuddin Junaidi, a key labor leader and representative of the People’s Labor Bureau Sindh, emphasized that the working class in Pakistan has engaged in extraordinary struggles and made significant sacrifices to secure their constitutional and legal rights, as well as to uphold democracy in the nation. He expressed confidence that this tradition would continue in the future. Junaidi criticized the contract system and third-party employment as some of the most detrimental anti-labor practices and urged the government to declare them illegal

Zehra Khan of HBWWF criticized the Sindh Labor Ministry for failing to ensure payment of government-declared wages. Due to the ministry’s incompetence, 90% of workers in Sindh remain deprived of minimum wages. Instead of enforcing wage payments, the ministry remained inactive. Workers were being forcibly terminated, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was urged to intervene immediately to prevent further damage to the party’s reputation caused by the ministry’s inaction. Khan stressed that the contract system perpetuated a cycle of exploitation and needed to be abolished to restore workers’ dignity.

Qazi Khizar of HRCP highlighted the rising unemployment and poverty, blaming anti-worker policies imposed under international financial institutions’ directives. Despite government claims of economic progress, over 4.5 million people were unemployed, and 95 million lived below the poverty line—40% of the population. Over 12 million individuals fell below the poverty line in the past year, even as claims of reduced inflation and stock market growth persisted.

He emphasized that workers’ purchasing power had collapsed despite inflation control announcements. Pakistan’s per capita income was the lowest in the region, and the number of out-of-school children was the highest.

Khaliq Junajo, a political worker, criticized the plight of the youth, many of whom sought legal and illegal ways to leave the country due to bleak economic prospects. Over 400 youths die annually in attempts to migrate illegally, often losing their lives in boat accidents while searching for employment abroad.

Saeed Baloch of PFF revealed that over 2.7 million workers suffered workplace accidents annually, while more than 200 miners died every year due to unsafe conditions. He condemned the government for prioritizing elite privileges over the welfare of lower-tier public employees, eliminating pensions, and privatizing public institutions to benefit select groups.

Dr. Asghar Ali Dashti from Federal Urdu University emphasized the importance of education and awareness in empowering workers. He stated that an informed and educated workforce served as the foundation of any successful labor movement. He believed that knowledge equipped workers with the necessary tools to combat exploitation and assert their rightful position in society.

Aqib Hussain of the Alternate youth group condemned international fashion brands were also criticized for exploiting workers in garment factories, where laborers were treated as wage slaves. These brands openly violated local and international labor laws.

The rally concluded with the following demands:

1. The contract labor system should be criminalized and abolished.
2. Workers must receive permanent employment and written appointment letters.
3. Payment of declared wages should be ensured.
4. Wages should be paid through bank accounts.
5. Implementation of labor laws in workplaces must be ensured.
6. All workers should be registered with social security and pension institutions.
7. The right to unionization must be recognized.
8. Privatization of institutions should be halted immediately.
9. Terminations in public and private institutions must end.
10. Workplaces should be free from harassment, and anti-harassment committees should be formed in every institution.
11. Anti-environmental water projects, including canals from the Indus River, must be canceled.
12. Land grabbing under the guise of corporate farming must stop.
13. International fashion brands must adhere to local labor laws and European Parliament regulations.

Labor leaders announced a national meeting of labor organization representatives next week to plan collective action against anti-worker policies.