Major labour unions in Pakistan have fiercely opposed the proposed Sindh Labour Code, calling it an anti-worker law pushed through secretly.
What Happened:
- Conference: Unions (NTUF and HBWWF) held a large meeting in Karachi for textile, garment, shoe, and leather workers.
- Accusations: They accused the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Sindh government of:
- Trying to sneak the code in “through the backdoor” without proper consultation.
- Working together to harm workers’ rights.
Why Workers Oppose the Code:
- Attacks Permanent Jobs: Unions say the code would destroy the legal right to permanent employment, forcing everyone into insecure contract work.
- Weakens Unions: They believe it aims to crush workers’ power by restricting their rights to form unions and go on strike.
- Creates “Bonded Labour”: A provision allowing “advance loans” is seen as a trick to trap workers in debt, effectively legalizing modern-day slavery.
- Protects Bosses, Not Workers: Unions argue the code only benefits factory owners and government officials, not the workers it claims to protect.
- Breaks Laws: They state the code violates Pakistan’s Constitution, the Bonded Labour Abolition Act, and international labour standards (ILO conventions).
Criticism of ILO & Government:
- ILO’s Role: Unions accused the ILO of working with global banks (like the World Bank) to suppress worker rights in poorer countries (“Global South”), acting like a “neocolonial” force.
- Government Betrayal: They say both federal and provincial governments are helping this anti-worker agenda instead of protecting citizens.
- Punjab already approved a similar code despite objections.
- Sindh sent the draft to the law department secretly, breaking a promise to consult workers. Only after protests did the minister agree to share the final draft.
Broader Worker Struggles:
- Soaring Prices: Leaders expressed deep worry about extreme inflation making basic necessities (food, housing, transport, utilities) unaffordable.
- Lost Rights: They accused the government, pressured by international lenders, of abandoning its duty to provide essential services like free education, healthcare, jobs, and housing.
The Warning:
Union leaders warned the Sindh government (led by the PPP party) not to copy Punjab’s “repressive” path. Imposing this code by force, they said, would bring lasting shame. They vowed strong resistance to defeat this “conspiracy” and fight for a living wage and basic rights. Pakistan covering diverse topics – fuel price hikes, infrastructure failures, building collapses, India-Pakistan military tensions, banking disputes, judicial appointments, Canada-US trade relations, counter-terrorism operations, and labor reforms. The user seems to need concise, plain-English summaries of complex news stories. They’re likely either a student researching current affairs, a professional needing quick updates, or someone with limited English proficiency. The consistent 300-word requirement suggests they need standardized summaries for comparison or reporting purposes .For this labor code article, I’ll focus on:- The worker unions’ strong rejection of the Sindh Labor Code- Their accusations against ILO and provincial governments- Key objections about contract labor and bonded practices- The conference context and speakers’ positions- Concerns about living wages and basic rights.The challenge is condensing the union’s complex arguments about labor exploitation while keeping their passionate tone. I’ll avoid technical terms like “neocolonial” but preserve the core criticism of international institutions. The 300-word limit means prioritizing: 1) The unions’ main accusations 2) Specific code provisions they oppose 3) Government actions they’re protesting 4) The broader context of worker rights erosion. I’ll structure it with clear paragraphs about:- The conference and participants- NTUF’s objections to contract labor and bonded practices- HBWWF’s criticism of ILO and government roles- Economic concerns about inflation and basic needs
