Human rights activists and trade unionists on Friday stressed the fact that close collaboration between all the open-minded people and campaigners was essential to achieve the common goal of fighting poverty in unison and resolve problems facing the public at home and the workers at their workplaces.

They were speaking at a “Consultation on Workers’ Rights” organized by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) at a local hotel. Leading trade union leaders, human rights activists and civil society members participated in the workshop in large numbers.

The HRCP’s General Secretary, I A Rehman asked trade unions to link the problems of public with their demands so that the target could be jointly achieved together.

He said the irony was that the “right to work” was not mentioned in the Pakistan Constitution. Thus, jobless people could not challenge the rulers for getting jobs. Now, he said, the government had accepted this right but its definition of the right was contradictory and needed further clarification.

Mohammed Shafiq Ghauri, President National Trade Unions Federation, Sindh, in his presentation, “Labour Welfare” said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had also approved different conventions to ensure social security of workers and provision of better working environment to them at the workplace. He said certain labour laws had also existed in Pakistan but they were not being implemented properly.

Fareed Awan, General Secretary, All-Pakistan Trade Unions Federation, Sindh chapter, while giving his presentation on “The Right to Unionization” said formation of unions and taking part in union activities was the basic right of workers, which is included in the Constitution, ILO, and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Saeed Baloch, General Secretary, Pakistan Fisherfolk’s Forum (PFF) also spoke on the occasion.