[ Pakistani ] Carpets Workers against War
Report by Farooq Sulehria, member executive body LPP
The carpet workers in Pakistan have condemned the war efforts of both
the ruling classes of Pakistan and India.Over 500 workers participated
the annual general body meeting of Itehad (UNITY) Workers Union Carpet
Industry Pakistan on 25th June[1999] in Lahore.
The meeting was addressed by prominent trade unions
and Labour Party Pakistan leaders. Those who spoke at the meeting
include Khurshid Ahmed, general Secretary Pakistan Workers
Confederation (the main body of the organized workers in Pakistan),
Choudry Gulzar Ahmed, general Secretary All Pakistan Trade Union
Federation and Farooq Tariq general secretary LPP.
Comrade Farooq Tariq explained why we oppose the war? He said that the
workers of both countries would be the real losers if the war between
India and Pakistan escalate. The real benefit would be for the rich
who would enhance their their profits. He said we must build a peace
movement to counter the fundamentalists. Same views were expressed by
all the labour leaders including Yousaf Baluch, information secretary
of Pakistan Workers Confederation and a national committee member of
LPP.
Most of the carpet workers belong to Frontier Province and are
considered very conservatives. They are normally blamed for the
support of the Mujahidin(fighters of Muslim holy war). But here in the
meeting, over-whelmingly, workers were against the war.
The Carpet Workers Union general secretary Niaz Khan (a national
committee member of LPP) gave one month to the bosses to accept their
demand of better wages, implementation of social security on carpet
workers and better safety measures for the workers. He warned that if
the demands are not met within a month, they will repeat the history
of 1997 strike. In 1997, the union led a successful strike which led
to the increase of 20%pay rise of the most exploited section of the
working class in Pakistan.
The Carpet Workers gave full support to their leaders in the present
round of struggle with the bosses. There were a real mood of fight
among the workers. The meeting showed the union strong basis among the
carpet workers in Lahore particularly.
Report by Farooq Sulehria, member executive body LPP
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