ATIK | Confederation of Workers from Turkey in Europe | AHM-ATIK News Center
PAKISTAN | 07 – 11 – 2010 | A Brief Scenario of workers struggle / challenges in STALCO Company
STALCO is located Ferozpur Road, District Lahore.Pkaistan.300 workers are working from 5-15 years, in which 90% are temporary and getting no facility under the provision of labor laws.
The owner of the STALCO Engineering Company victimized workers. Illegal lockout of the 200 workers including 16 union office bearers. All this was done due to formation of the workers trade union. The workers of the factory protested against the management’s illegal activities and start march on 14-10-2010 on the main road towards the parliamentarian house. Workers hold banners inscribed their demands and red flags, chanting slogans, against the government and illegal action of the management of the factory.
On 18 September 2010
STALCO workers hold a protest agitation against the illegal and inhuman action of the management. The workers gathered before the Parliament house, where the session was going on. Workers chanted slogans against the management s well as government and deliver letters to the speakers of assembly inscribed workers demands.Some parliamentarian from the assembly session came out and address the workers assuring them to solve their problems.
On 19 September 2010
Workers gathered in front of press club and agitate for their demands. They were holding red flags and banners inscribed their demands and strongly agitating against he government and management attitude. The workers leaders Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary, Rubina Jamil and others addresses the workers and give the ultimatum if their demands were not accepted within two days they will protest in front of the residence of labor minister of Punjab.
On 20th September 2010
A meeting was held in the office of the labor minister of Punjab in which the secretary labor, employer and workers representatives was present there. Detailed discussion was held on the demands of the workers no fruitful result came out and meeting failed.
On 21st September
The workers hold agitation against the employer to illegal lockout of the factory before the governor house. The workers having great hatred against the government uncivilized attitude. Workers holding banners against the government and employer. No one listen workers voice. Workers block the road then the police beaten charge on the workers. After that worker went to the residence of Labor minister and rose slogans against the labor minister and sit in for one and half hour. After this secretary labor of minister came out and told that the minister is not here he is out of the Lahore. So the workers decided to come tomorrow to agitate before the minister residence.
22nd September 2010
Workers gathered at 8: am before the labor minister residence and raised slogans for the acceptance of their demands .The minister called meeting at his house with labor representatives and other bureaucrats After a long discussion the minister said that I will talk to the higher level because I am unable to resolve the issue.
Still situation in factory is tense, management is trying to invite their favorite workers to come and start their jobs, but the workers refused because they are determined to come out side the factory until and unless their demands accepted.
STALCO Workers union and APTUF along with Working Women Organization hold joint meeting to decide the further plan of agitation, but it is also proposed that the meeting of the other trade union from the area will be invited on Sunday and mutually action program to be decided. At last all the participants agreed on this point and decided to hold a joint meeting on Sunday 5:pm in the office of All Pakistan Trade Union Federation.
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Rubina Jamil
Chairperson
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14-N, Industrial Area, Gulberg II
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: 0301-4667633
Fax: 92-423-5311194
Email: struggle0881@yahoo.com
aptuf2010@gmail.com
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