Female healthcare workers fight for equality.
Union leaders have been vocal at May Day protests opposing the transfer of electricity utilities to the Sindh government.
In observance of International Workers’ Day on Monday, workers across Sindh, particularly those employed by government agencies, rallied in the streets of HYDERABAD.
Protesters shouted shouts in support of their rights and pointed fingers at the government, saying that rampant inflation and rising unemployment had left workers hungry.
In Hyderabad, lower-level government workers protested under the auspices of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign. Hussain Bux Khoso, speaking at a campaign rally outside the Hyderabad Press Club, claimed that inflation was robbing people of their “right to life.”
He stated that the government was to blame for the workers’ predicament because of the lack of salary increases despite the hyperinflation. Asadullah Durrani remarked that despite the rulers’ repeated empty pledges on labour day, the government workers’ issues have persisted for decades.
The All Sindh Lady Health Workers and Employees Union (ASLHWEU) and Public Service International (PSI) and the Workers Education and Research Organisation (WERO) held a rally in 2023 to celebrate International Workers Day.
Starting at Poonam Chowk at 11 a.m., the rally made its way to the Sindhi Language Authority. At Dr. Baloch Hall, a later public meeting was held.
The issues that female health workers confront in the workplace, such as low pay and few perks, were detailed by assembly speakers and rally attendees. The speakers also detailed their expectations of the government. They stated that they will continue to fight for what they want until these demands are met and until LHWs have the rights they have been fighting for.
In addition to HRCP Vice President Qazi Khizar, Rights Activist Pushpa Kumari, and members from civil society organisations, the public Assembly heard from ASLHWEU President Haleema Laghari, General Secretary Shama Gullani, WERO General Secretary Mir Zulfiqar, and others. Female healthcare workers should be guaranteed a living wage plus benefits including health insurance, social security, maternity leave, overtime, and a gratuity.
There was a rally held in Hyderabad by the All Pakistan WAPDA Hydro Electric Workers Union (CBA) to protest the transfer of control of HESCO and SPECO to the Sindh government. Abdul Latif Nizamani, the union’s longtime leader, and other union officials have issued a warning that workers will hold demonstrations and even organise a large march to Karachi to voice their displeasure.
[9:31 pm, 01/05/2023] ET Z Prof. Ali Zeeshan Bhatti: In addition, other rallies were held in the Sukkur district. Outside the press club, members of the All Pakistan Workers Federation Sukkur and the Sukkur Trade Union Alliance rallied for higher pay and more protections for the working class. Participants at the other demonstrations also demanded that salary increases keep pace with inflation.
Motorcycle Rickshaw Drivers Union attendees in Larkana griped about bad roads, ineffective traffic management and the extortion of bribes by the traffic police, all of which they blamed on rising fuel prices.
