 News
Labour Leader Killed for Forming Union in Faisalabad
[09/07/2010]
Our partner in Pakistan, Labour Education Foundation, has informed us of the murder of Mustansar Randhawa, a Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) leader in Faisalabad was killed on Tuesday 6 July by unknown persons while he was sitting in the office of LQM Sarghoda Road Sector area. His younger brother Naseer Randhawa, the younger brother of Mustansar Randawa who was also injured in the incident died on Wednesday.
He has been receiving death threats from the power looms and textile mill owners for the last few days. His crime was to organise LQM in an area, no one dared to do that earlier. He was also president of National Trade Union Federation Faisalabad. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has launched an urgent appeal to about these murders, please support this action.
News from Labour Education Foundation:
Labour Qaumi Movement had announced a strike of the textile sector on 6th July in a press conference on 4th July. On 5th July, the administration of Faisalabad called the union leaders for negotiations. LQM demanded wage increase according to the Minimum Wages Board notification, a 17 percent wage increase. The bosses was reluctant to do that. After late night negotiations which went on till 1.30am on 6th July, it was agreed to postpone the strike and bosses agreed to some demands. The negotiations were to start again today when the news came that Mustansar Rindhawa (35) is been killed by firing of unknown persons while he was sitting in the office. Two person came on motor cycle and fired at him in the office. He died on the spot. Another member of the union had just left to the next door to fetch water while he was shot at. He escaped luckily.
Mustansar Rindhawa was one of the proud participant of a trade union leadership workshop on 19/20 June in Faisalabad. In the picture attached, he is sitting with others on that occasion. The workshop was organised by Labour Education Foundation.
The LQM leadership in consultation with LPP is discussing the future actions in response to this incident. Workers are gathering at Faisalabad hospital where the body is been brought already. Labour Party Pakistan Labour secretary Nasir Mansoor, general secretary Nisar Shah, spokesperson Farooq Tariq and LEF Director Khalid Mahmood has condemned this killing and demanded an immediate arrest of the murderers. They said in a joint statement that the labour movement in Faisalabad can not be silenced by such brutal actions. The workers of the Pakistan will respond by organizing strikes and demonstration to condemn this killing.
Against the murder of two labour leaders, the workers of the whole textile industry in Faisalabad have walked out of their jobs and on Wednesday, there was a complete shut down of the industry on the appeal of LQM. The workers will gather in front of district council Faisalabad at 10am in protest.
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