The onset of neo liberal economic policies has left a deep impact on the socio-economic condition of workers. In order to remain competitive employers have started reducing labour costs such as casually employing workers mainly part time, with no long-term employment relationship, employment is usually generated on piece or job rates for example for 350 bangles by home-based women workers the wage is Rs 3.50 paisas. Even that is reduced if a single bangle is broken.
Another method for reducing labour costs is sub-contracting production activity, under this method not only wages are low there is no legal protection on working conditions, no benefits such as health, social security, pensions etc. leading to job insecurity.
A number of men and women workers marched in hundreds on May Day demanding their rights.
Slogans were raised on the dignity of workers. "Mazdoor Itihad Zindabad". What was so wonderful about the activity was that with the effort of ActionAid and Green Rural Development Organisation a number of other organisations and trade unions gathered at Rabia Square and marched towards the press club.
They gathered for an hour to express solidarity with each other, these included, Mazdoor Hari Union, All Hyderabad Bangle Workers Union, Labour Party Sindh, Green Rural Development Organisation, Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Women's Wing, Pakistan Trade Union Federation, Pasban and Pakistan People's Party Labour Wing.
This was followed by a seminar on the issues of the Bangle Industry Workers in which 200 women and children participated. Representatives of the worker's and President of All Hyderabad Bangle Union Workers spoke about their issues related to low wages and working conditions. The seminar was chaired by ActionAid representative who presented the charter of demands the highlights of which are: wages of women and children should be revised and adjusted with the growing inflation rate, benefits in terms of health, social security, education and pensions should be provided, the work of home-based women workers and children should be regulated according to labour laws, the home-based workers should be facilitated by the employers in welding the bangles by providing the cost for electricity and Kerosene oil, the right of national holidays should be given to the workers, the workers demanded the establishment of a research centre for the advancement of the Industry, Labour Department should monitor the working conditions of this Industry.
Some aspects of the Neo Liberal Agenda were highlighted by ActionAid,
Speeches were made by other representatives such as Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Women's Labour Wing who assured us of taking up the demands of workers to the President and other policy makers. Adam Malik and Dr Hyder also spoke on the accasion.
Contact Person: aqsa.khan@actionaid.org
