RAWALPINDI: National Labour Federation (NLF) Pakistan President Shamsur Rehman Swati and former Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan president Mian Abdul Shakoor have said that only a strong, organised, capable and upright organisation can present an effective solution to the problems faced by workers.
Addressing the first session of a leadership training programme organised by the NLF Pakistan in Islamabad, they stressed that the leadership of the labour movement should rise above personal, group and regional interests and work only for the labour cause.
They said genuine leadership was one that continued the struggle for the protection of workers’ rights while facing difficulties, trials and pressure with steadfastness.
The training session focused on enhancing the intellectual, organisational and practical capabilities of labour leadership, modern leadership skills, organisation building, effective communication, fulfilment of rights and responsibilities, and solutions to the economic and social problems being faced by Pakistan’s working class.
The speakers also underlined that an organised and continuous struggle was essential for the prosperity of workers, quality education for their children, healthcare, social protection and dignified employment.
NLF Pakistan President Shamsur Rehman Swati, Secretary General Muhammad Haseebur Rehman, PTL President Waheed Haider Shah, Senior Vice Presidents Ashiq Khan, Mian Tajammul Hussain and Tayyab Ejaz Khan, Central Punjab President Muhammad Amin Minhas, Organising Secretary Syed Abdul Aziz Shigri, North Punjab Secretary Naveed Bangash, Zahoor Shah of Prem Union Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Coordinator Asad Ali, Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Jamshed Munir Khan, Central Secretary Samiullah, Abdul Jabbar and others attended the session.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Zahoor Shah of Prem Union Rawalpindi said Mian Abdul Shakoor, adviser to the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, held a discussion with labour leaders on how to take the labour movement forward.
The labour leaders said workers were currently facing serious challenges, including what they described as the weakening of institutions through privatisation. They cited PIA, Steel Mills and other institutions, and said the reduction of workers in PTCL and Railways through such arrangements was creating unemployment.
They said inflation and steep increases in the prices of petrol and electricity had badly affected workers’ households, adding that workers were being pushed to desperation. They said the system in Pakistan would have to be changed and honest leadership brought forward.
They further said Pakistan’s 45 million workers would support honest leadership for a change in the system, and that on August 7 labour organisations would stand with Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and register their protest against the government.
The participants resolved that the NLF Pakistan would prepare capable and upright labour leadership that would continue its struggle for justice, prosperity, supremacy of law and the establishment of a people-friendly system in the country.
Office-bearers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North Punjab and Central Punjab attended the training session. The second session of the programme will be held in Sukkur, where the organisational leadership from South Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will participate.
