Employment at the Heart

On the occasion of World Day for Decent Work (WDDW) 7th October, 2009, Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Karachi Sindh Region celebrated this day with high note. In this connection a large gathering of workers & office bearers belonging to affiliated union from all sectors like Banking, Finance, Pharmaceutical, Automobiles, Garments, Textile, Transport, chemicals & Water and Power and Public Sector. etc, attended this gathering which is held at federation’s regional headquarter building, Aiwan-e-Ittehad, (Solidarity House)Karachi. After this gathering all workers took part in a rally. PWF Karachi Regions is one of the most important region as Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and also Industrial Hub in the country. The leadership and workers like Karachi Port Trust, Various national & multinational banks & Insurance companies, Automobile unions like Hino Pak Motors, Toyota Motors, and Water and Power Hydro union also attended this event. The event was covered by a large number of electronic and print media. On the occasion Regional & Central leadership of Pakistan Workers Federation address to the workers. Mr. Muhammad Ahmed Central Chairman, Pakistan Workers Federation chair this gathering. Tanveer Ahmed, Deputy General Secretary PWF General Secretary, PWF Karachi Region, in his address highlighted the theme of this year day i.e Economic crises whom a millions of workers lost their jobs all over the world have pushed the world into deepest recession . Decent work must be at the centre of government actions to bring back economic growth and build a new global economy that puts people first.

He also said that Every person on earth should be should have a job that Decent Work is the best way to combat global poverty, as it tackles poverty where it is most effective to do so. It yields a dividend which naturally materialises and spreads through societies enables them to live a good life, in which their basic needs are covered. But employment is central to more than the wellbeing of the individual. It is crucial to economic development and social progress. Jobs are needed to enhance economic activity and the labour market is the main distributor of growth. Without productive employment, living standards are not improved and economies do not develop. Jobs, however, are only improved if they are linked with standards and rights.

Mr. Muhammad Ahmed, Central Chairman, Pakistan Workers Federation in his speech focus about the concept of Decent Work that denotes productive employment, worker’s rights, social protection and social dialogue. Decent Work, thus, encapsulates the aspirations of people in their working lives: quality jobs under conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity, in which rights are protected, representation ensured, and adequate remuneration along with social coverage is provided. He also emphasized that The International Financial Institutions must change their understanding of employment and labour policies, and should incorporate the promotion of Decent Work and the Core Labour Standards into their projects and policy advice. They should particularly include employment creating strategies, improvement of working conditions and respect of labour rights in their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.