50,000 Telecom workers join countrywide strike in Pakistan
16 workers injured in clashes with paramilitary forces
Thousands of telecom workers employed by PTCL workers are on the strike. PTCL is the largest telecom company in Pakistan. Most telecom offices and telephone exchanges are closed and locked up by the striking workers. The telecom head quarters remained closed for 3 days because striking workers organized pickets at the main gates of head quarters. All the gates at the building were padlocked and closed. 16 workers were then injured when paramilitary forces tried to forcibly open the gates and break the picket line. They used tear gas and baton charge to disperse the workers. They also fired live bullets into the air to try and frighten the striking workers. Yet as an indication of the militancy of the workers involved the use of such brutal force has failed to break the strike or the resolve of the workers involved. This is the biggest protest movement and strike action since the privatization of PTCL in 2005.
The protest and strike movement of telecom workers has now entered its fourth day. But a complete stoppage has taken place in the main cities - Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. In the rest of the country a partial strike has taken place. This strike and protest movement has been launched against the new pay scale called Unified Pay Scale (UPS), introduced by the PTCL management. They are attempting to reverse many concessions won in previous struggles. The management has also refused to regularize the employment of contract employees who have in many cases been employed by them for many years. There was a wide spread anger amongst the workers against the anti worker policies of the management. The present management took over from the former state owned telecom company following privatization in August 2005. The new management, from Dubai, has no interest in the problems of telecom workers. The management from the Dubai based telecom company, Etisila, is now trying to punish the workers for organizing a month long strike and protest movement against privatization in 2005. Anger amongst the workers was building up for some time against the management because of its failure to fulfill agreements. The issue of new pay scales (UPS) and contract workers (NPCG) finally provoked an explosion of anger and the workers decided to take action.
16 workers injured in clashes with paramilitary forces
Thousands of telecom workers employed by PTCL workers are on the strike. PTCL is the largest telecom company in Pakistan. Most telecom offices and telephone exchanges are closed and locked up by the striking workers. The telecom head quarters remained closed for 3 days because striking workers organized pickets at the main gates of head quarters. All the gates at the building were padlocked and closed. 16 workers were then injured when paramilitary forces tried to forcibly open the gates and break the picket line. They used tear gas and baton charge to disperse the workers. They also fired live bullets into the air to try and frighten the striking workers. Yet as an indication of the militancy of the workers involved the use of such brutal force has failed to break the strike or the resolve of the workers involved. This is the biggest protest movement and strike action since the privatization of PTCL in 2005.
The protest and strike movement of telecom workers has now entered its fourth day. But a complete stoppage has taken place in the main cities - Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. In the rest of the country a partial strike has taken place. This strike and protest movement has been launched against the new pay scale called Unified Pay Scale (UPS), introduced by the PTCL management. They are attempting to reverse many concessions won in previous struggles. The management has also refused to regularize the employment of contract employees who have in many cases been employed by them for many years. There was a wide spread anger amongst the workers against the anti worker policies of the management. The present management took over from the former state owned telecom company following privatization in August 2005. The new management, from Dubai, has no interest in the problems of telecom workers. The management from the Dubai based telecom company, Etisila, is now trying to punish the workers for organizing a month long strike and protest movement against privatization in 2005. Anger amongst the workers was building up for some time against the management because of its failure to fulfill agreements. The issue of new pay scales (UPS) and contract workers (NPCG) finally provoked an explosion of anger and the workers decided to take action.
Role of the TURCP
TURCP members who are also national leaders of the telecom unions are actively participating in the protests and strike. TURCP members are not only actively participating in the movement but also working for unity amongst the workers. The TURCP is also trying to bring the different unions together in one platform to strengthen the strike. The TURCP is fully supporting this movement and actively organizing solidarity for the striking workers. The successful strike in telecom sector will inspire the other workers to take action. This movement can lay the basis for a new waves of working class struggles.
Send solidarity support and donation to the TURCP at http://turcp.org/
TURCP members who are also national leaders of the telecom unions are actively participating in the protests and strike. TURCP members are not only actively participating in the movement but also working for unity amongst the workers. The TURCP is also trying to bring the different unions together in one platform to strengthen the strike. The TURCP is fully supporting this movement and actively organizing solidarity for the striking workers. The successful strike in telecom sector will inspire the other workers to take action. This movement can lay the basis for a new waves of working class struggles.
Send solidarity support and donation to the TURCP at http://turcp.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment