Press Releases
Massive Strike by Pakistan Textile Workers Ends in Victory
Over 200,000 striking power loom workers in Faisalbad in Pakistan have prevailed against strong odds and have had their demands met.
The Labour Quomi Movement called the strike in support of a 17% wage increase and social security coverage for all workers.
The strike, called by the Labour Quomi Movement, was marked by tragedy. The day after the strike broke out LQM leader Mustansar Randhawa and his brother were gunned down in the union offices by two unidentified gunmen.
Many of the workers Mustansar helped to organise have been working for less than the minimum wage and subjected to violence and extortion from violent thugs protected by the mill owners.
The workers refused to back down and peacefully picketed the offices of the Commissioner until their demands were met.
At the request of the ITGLWF, the ILO intervened urging the government to conduct an immediate enquiry with a view to identifying and punishing those responsible and preventing a repetition of such acts.
The Commissioner of Faisalbad has said that four workers who were detained during the strike will be released without charges. The ITGLWF is seeking confirmation that the detained workers have been released and an inquiry has been initiated.
