Where trade unionists start their day on the net.
As informed before that, All Pakistan Trade Union Federation has registered a case against Employer of COLORKING Printing press in Labour Court under charge of violation of court order. The Case is still in proceeding and next hearing is on 10th of August 2004.
On 20th July 2004, Mr. Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary, General Secretary, All Pakistan Trade Union Federation hold meeting with COLORKING Printing Press Workers to chalk out the plan of agitation, against employer and Government anti workers policies. To initiate protest stream, first rally was planned on 28th of July 2004. With this APTUF also released press statement about its protest strategy.
On 25th and 26th of July, threatening phone calls has been received at APTUF office from Police sources, investigating about Mr. Gulzar Ahmed and representatives of COLORKING Printing Press Workers Union and about agitation rally.
On 28th of July 2004, heavily numbered Police Raided at APTUF office to capture and pressurized Mr. Gulzar Ahmed and representatives of COLORKING Printing Press Workers Union members, but fortunately they were out of office due to protest rally planed on same day. Employer registered a fake F.I.R (First Investigation Report) against the union office bearers on 13th June 2004 and police is still utilizing it to harass workers and APTUF leadership.
APTUF issued a press release about police raid and criticize employer and labour department approach towards matter, and restore confidence to continue their struggle in any circumstance.
Yet, there is no positive response/action taken by the Government of Punjab, Labour department or Federal Government on struggle of workers here, and the protest letters from all over the world, reflects coldness of authorities in providing remedy to workers.
Employer of COLORKING Printing Press deceitfully set off propaganda tricks against union, especially focusing and targeting Mr. Gulzar Ahmed, General Secretary APTUF, projecting him and Trade unions as enemy of workers as well as employer, claiming that due to trade unions workers lost their jobs. He (employer of colorking) and others, might be forgetting that there shameful and illegal actions, which they are practicing from past 50 years has made a worker’s life hard and harder day by day and a worker lacking facilities he rightfully deserves, passes life in a miserable condition and at last died with no hope.
APTUF has planned to organize another protest rally against unemployment, bane on trade union activities and against employer of COLORKING Printing Press on August 5, 2004.
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation and allies unions are working hard to resolve this issue and deliver workers with rights provided in law. We thanks again to all friends, who send protest/ solidarity letters, which shows their keen interest and unity with workers all around the world.
In Solidarity,
Nasir Chaudhary
Press & Publication Secretary
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation
14-N, Gulberg Industrial Area, Gulberg II, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: 92-42-5755078 – 5755079
Fax: 94-42-6665301
Email: aptuf@brain.net.pk
Texts appearing here are often press releases sent to us by unions and other organizations which do not appear elsewhere on the web. LabourStart takes no responsibility for their content.