PAKISTAN: Power-loom workers arrested

On August 3, 26 striking power-loom workers in Gojra were arrested, including union chairperson Mian Abdul Qayum. Cases were also registered against 30 other activists, including Farooq Tariq, general secretary of the Labour Party Pakistan and Mohammed Yousaf Baluch, chairperson of the National Trade Union Federation. Tariq and Baluch were among the speakers at an August 2 public meeting in support of the striking workers, which was attended by more than 1000 people. More than 3000 power-loom workers launched the strike one month earlier, demanding the same wages as those paid in nearby Faisalabad, the hub of the textile industry. In Gojra, the workers are paid less than half the wages of their counterparts in Faisalabad. During the strike several workers were beaten by gangs hired by the bosses, and on July 31 police removed the strikers' camp. On August 3, some 300 workers returned to re-establish the camp, and police then made the arrests. On August 5, another 15 workers were arrested. The strike is now spreading to other areas. Send protest letters to <http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/Write2thePresident.aspx> and email a copy to <farooqtariq@hotmail.com>.

From GLW issue 678