The leaders of representative labor organizations today rejected the anti-worker draft of the “Sindh Labor Code” presented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Sindh Labor Department without consultation.
They rejected the draft while addressing a joint press conference of workers’ representatives in Karachi. They declared that any attempt to legalize it will be strongly resisted.
Nasir Mansoor, General Secretary National Trade Union Federation told the press conference that the code draft was a conspiracy to impose anti-labor laws on the workers of Sindh without the established tripartite consultation process. He further said that the Sindh Labor Code draft aimed to usurp the basic rights of workers, which they had achieved through over a century of struggle. It was a blatant violation of the core conventions of the ILO, where the identity of the worker and his relationship with the employer had been eliminated.
Mansoor said that the current labor laws grant the right to permanent employment to workers, but the “Sindh Labor Code” seeks to legalize the illegal contract labor system, thereby imposing a wage slavery system in workplaces and providing capitalists with a legal excuse to evade their responsibilities.
Naseem Rao, Senior Vice President Pakistan Workers Federation said that Instead of making the definition of workers modern, comprehensive, and better aligned with current needs, this code had made it more complicated, leaving workers entirely at the mercy of contractors, sub-contractors, or third-party recruiting agencies, which will reduce millions of workers to unrecognized wage slaves.
Liaquat Ali Shai, General Secretary State Bank of Pakistan CBA Union said that the proposed “Sindh Labor Code” shamelessly redefined factory owners into different categories, exempting them from their legal responsibilities and informalizing the formal sector. As a result, in the event of any industrial dispute, workers will be deprived of all basic rights such as legal action, social security, pension, unionization, bonuses, working hours, and gratuity.
Hussain Badshah, General Secretary People Labour Bureau said that the Sindh Labor code also proposes to legalize the inhumane system of advance (PASHGI) payments, allowing owners to buy and sell workers, which will degrade the lives of workers in kilns and agricultural fields to worse than that of animals. The advance payment system was a modern form of slavery and a clear violation of the ILO conventions.
FarhatParveen, Secretary Legal Affairs, All Pakistan Lady Health Program Workers Union said that the worst aspect of the code was that it attempted to strip many employees in government institutions from grades one to fifteen of their right to unionize and collective bargaining, violating ILO conventions 87 and 98.Furthermore, she said that “Sindh Labor Code” aimed to end worker solidarity by eliminating their identity and dividing them into several layers and categories.
Zehra Khan General Secretary of Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) said that the code, imposed by the ILO and Sindh Labor Department, places restrictions on the right to strike, making it practically ineffective and nearly impossible, even though it is a fundamental right.She further said that the “Sindh Labor Code” significantly increases bureaucratic powers. Instead of simplifying the procedure for resolving industrial disputes, it makes it more complicated,time-consuming and impractical.
Imran Ali, General Secretary Pakistan Federation of Chemical, Energy and Mines (PECM) said that The code severely undermines workers’ basic right to health and safety and found ways to exempt owners from their responsibilities. He also rejects the undemocratic process made by the Sindh government and ILO.
Tahir KhanPresident Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) said that the media workers face the worst kind of third-partycontractual system. He reiterated that media workers will join the rank of workers in their struggle against the contractual system.
A delegation of labor representatives met with the Sindh Minister of Labor and Human Resources to express serious concerns about the “Sindh Labor Code.” They presented a joint letter detailing these issues. The Minister, who heads the committee on the Sindh Labor Code, assured that no legislation would be enacted without worker consultation. That assurance should be practically demonstrated.
Workers bodies demanded that meaningful tripartite consultation should be initiated to improve and consolidate labor laws, and no legislation related to labor laws should be made without consulting labor representatives.
They said that identify and take disciplinary action against those responsible for preparing the Sindh Labor Code draft without consultation, adding any attempt to legalize the contract labor system in any form will be strongly resisted.
“The contract labor system should be immediately abolished. Ensure strict implementation of labor laws in workplaces. Provide social security to all workers. Ensure the right to unionize and collective bargaining. End all kinds of discrimination and harassment inthe workplace,” the bodies said.