Powerloom workers in Pakistan have secured a win by signing an agreement with the employer on wage increases, contributions to social security and improved health and safety.
- The agreement is valid from 1 July, with the raise applied to wages paid in June.
- The agreement also states that factory owners will contribute towards social security for the employees.
- Factory owners will also have to provide facilities to ensure workers’ health and safety.
The agitation: Over 40,000 powerloom workers in Faisalabad were on strike since 1 August. Unions were demanding a 17% wage raise for power loom workers, as mandated by the government, with effect from 1 July.
- Striking workers in the Sudhar Industrial Zone secured a raise of 15% in wages, while those protesting in Ghulam Muhammadabad Industrial Zone got a raise of 14%.
- Inflation in Pakistan over the ast one month has reached an all-time high. The price of essential commodities, especially food, has risen sharply amid the catastrophic floods in the country.
What they said:
This is a big victory for the workers who resisted the pressure to end the strike and fought hard. Now, unions must make sure that the agreement is effectively implemented and that workers receive the benefits outlined in the agreement.
— Niaz Khan
General Secretary
ILUCIP
IndustriALL congratulates our affiliates for standing strong and winning this fight. It’s terrible that factory owners refused to comply with the government order for a wage raise in March, forcing the unions to take direct action. The agreement is a testament to the power of a unionised workforce.
— Apoorva Kaiwar
South Asia Regional Secretary
IndustriALL
