Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign

In 1995, Arif Shah, a leading trade union leader, was assassinated.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sexualharassmentwatch.org/organization/953/The-Pakistan-Trade-Union-Defence-Campaign-(PTUDC).html|title=Sexual Harassment Watch-The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) Pakistan {{!}} Lets Make The Workplace Dignified|website=www.sexualharassmentwatch.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-25}} Following his assassination, the Punjab Labour Federation, the United Labour Federation, the Progressive Workers Alliance, the Railway Workers Union, and the National Union of Postal Employees jointly launched the PTUDC.{{Cite web|url=https://orgs.tigweb.org/pakistan-trade-union-defence-campaign|title=Pakistan Trade Union Defence C... - Organizations - TakingITGlobal|website=orgs.tigweb.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-25}}

The PTUDC declares its views and aims in response to the need for working-class military in Pakistan.{{Cite news|url=http://marxiststudent.com/pakistan-trade-union-defence-campaign/|title=Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign|date=2015-08-27|work=Marxist Student Federation|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en-US}} It is against privatization and proposes the complete nationalization of industry, in order to put it under the democratic control of workers.{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/687637/trade-unions-worker-representation-and-the-privatisation-process/|title=Trade unions, worker representation and the privatisation process {{!}} The Express Tribune|date=2014-03-26|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en-US}}

Two of its members were arrested while distributing leaflets to oppose privatization in Karachi.{{Cite news|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/4c4fec61c.html|title=Refworld {{!}} 2010 Annual Survey of violations of trade union rights - Pakistan|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|work=Ref-world|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en}} It is working to ensure safe working conditions and to demand better facilities for workers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/11/26/ptudc-demands-early-compensation-for-families-of-gadani-victims/|title=PTUDC demands early compensation for families of Gadani victims|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk|date=26 November 2016 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-08-25}} It holds various events to publicize worker struggle.{{Cite web|url=http://www.labournet.net/world/0105/pakist3.html|title=Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign|website=www.labournet.net|access-date=2018-08-25}}

In 2005, Pakistani Kashmir was hit by an earthquake.{{Cite news|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/kashmir-earthquake-october-8-2005-impacts-pakistan|title=The Kashmir earthquake of October 8, 2005: Impacts in Pakistan|work=ReliefWeb|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en}} PTUDC had set up relief camps and demanded a hefty tax to be imposed on all capitalists so that money could be generated for rehabilitation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/164569|title=PTUDC seeks 25pc quake tax on MNCs, feudal lords|date=2005-11-08|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en-US}} PTUDC established affiliated support groups in Europe, the US and Canada.{{Cite web| title=Re-launch of Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign | url=http://www.marxist.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PTUDC_WinterBulletin-A4.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826005100/http://www.marxist.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PTUDC_WinterBulletin-A4.pdf | archive-date=2018-08-26}} Jeremy Corbyn attended its solidarity meeting in London.{{Cite web|url=http://www.marxist.com/solidarity-campaign-manzoor-ahmed-released191107.htm|title=Successful international solidarity campaign to get Manzoor Ahmed released|last=Marxism|first=In Defence of|website=www.marxist.com|date=19 November 2007 |language=en-gb|access-date=2018-08-25}}

In May 2018 PTUDC, along with 16 other progressive organisations, established the Lahore Left Front.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/295713-17-like-minded-parties-form-lahore-left-front|title=17 like-minded parties form Lahore Left Front|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en}} The Lahore Left Front hosted the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement public meeting at Lahore on 22 April 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1403191|title=PTM Lahore rally: Manzoor Pashteen announces to take grievances to Karachi on May 12|last=Malik|first=Dawn.com {{!}} Atika Rehman {{!}} Arif|date=2018-04-22|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en-US}}

Its platform is as follows:

• Defence of trade unions from physical attacks of employers
• Defence of the right to organize
• Stop the privatization of state industries; re-nationalize those privatized firms under workers’ control
• The establishment of a minimum living wage for all, linked to the cost of living
• The abolition of child labour
• Free education and healthcare

Monthly journal Mazdoornama{{Cite web|url=http://www.bolshevik.info/may-day-preparations-in-pakistan.htm|title=May Day Preparations in Pakistan|last=Campaign|first=Pakistan Trade Union Defence|website=www.bolshevik.info|date=30 April 2015 |language=en-gb|access-date=2018-08-25}} is the official organ of PTUDC.{{Cite news|url=http://www.struggle.pk/mazdoor-nama-june-2015-issue/|title=مزدور نامہ (جون 2015ء)|work=The Struggle {{!}} طبقاتی جدوجہد|access-date=2018-08-25|language=en}}

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Category:Trade unions in Pakistan

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