Hundreds of affected dock workers of Port Qasim continued their sit-in on 33rd consecutive day of their protest.
The sit-in camp was established by the Workers Union of Port Qasim CBA to protest against a Chinese loading company and non-payment of salaries. Responding to their protest, Chinese company Huaneng Fuyun Port & Shipping (Pvt) Ltd paid the workers six months’ worth of salaries but the company still owes four months’ worth of compensation.
Labourers protested and chanted slogans against Chinese company and port officials during the protest on Saturday. An elderly labourer Shah Jahan fainted in camp but his colleagues refused to take him hospital until their demands were met.
Addressing his protesting colleagues, Secretary General of Workers Union of Port Qaism CBA Hussain Badshah said that authorities should not undermine peaceful protest of labourers. “We will announce our further strategy on Monday if demands are not accepted,” he announced.
“A number of labourers are disabled during work but they continue to play their role for the development of economy. Chinese company has just paid six months salaries to labourers. Port Qasim authorities are also giving cold shoulder to our demands,” he lamented.
“Our charter of demand should be accepted and implemented immediately. Port Qasim Authority should issue pending cards to dock workers. Dock Workers Act 1974 should be implemented in letter and spirit. Economic exploitation of laborers must be stopped,” Hussain Badshah demanded.
Published in Daily Times, October 28th 2018.
