Preamble
The Labour movement in Pakistan:
Cognizant of the Quranic Injunctions
on dignity of Labour and equality of human beings.
Taking pride in the sayings of the
Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) that “A worker (he who works with his own
hands) is a Friend of God” and “That all human beings are at par whether rich
or poor, master or servant” (employer or employee).
Noting that Islam considers a worker
as a benefactor of the world economy.
Taking pride of the fact that the
father of nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a strong supporter of the
rights of the peoples (including freedom of speech expression of association)
and an advocate of decent wages and better living and working conditions for
the workers and that he served as an elected president of All India postal
staff union and in that capacity he represented them in the Indian
Legislative Assembly in 1925.
Cognizant of the
Constitutional provisions on freedom of association and other fundamental
rights of workers fully aware of the need that
the Constitutional provisions on freedom of thought,
expression and association must be translated into action affecting the lives
of the working men and women, and in relations with their employers, public or
private, and with the state.
Proclaiming that the right of all
peoples to full national freedom and self-government across continents is a
prerequisite for peace, security, good governance and sustainable development.
Affirming that universal well-being
based on productive and decent work with social protection and economic
democracy is the foundation on which lasting peace can be achieved and that
the denial or restrictions of these rights is an affront to human dignity and a
threat to peace.
Upholding the principles of
democracy and equality of opportunity for all peoples, seeking elimination of
all forms of exploitation, forced labor, discrimination and subjugation based
on race, religion, color, sex and origin, and opposing totalitarianism and
aggression in any form.
Taking cognizance of the existing
multiplicity of trade unions with all its negative manifestations on workers,
working conditions and industrial relations.
Recalling nevertheless its efforts
and even sacrifices for realization of workers’ rights in Pakistan and also in terms of making contribution to national solidarity, harmonious
industrial relations and productivity.
Recognizing the role of the trade
unions in creating and, importantly, sustaining jobs as well as making
contribution to the economic development is critically linked with unity
amongst its ranks and file.
Realizing that one voice of the
workers is crucial for an effective policy dialogue, with the
employers/Government and also with regional and international organizations.
Noting that the ongoing process of
globalization and neo-liberal pursuits have created enormous pressures and
challenges for the workers across the globe particularly those in developing
countries including Pakistan.
Noting that this process is making
many developing countries vulnerable to the dictates of multinational
corporations as well as multilateral institutions that demand stronger response
from trade unions with greater solidarity at national, regional and international
levels to seek a more equitable distribution of the benefits of globalization.
Recognizing that the ILO Declaration
on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998, and the rights and
principles embodied in international Labour Conventions especially the Core
Labour Standards relating to trade union rights, child labour, bonded Labour,
equality and non-discrimination are important instruments in ensuring an
equitable distribution of gains of globalization and also in providing level
playing fields.
Affirming the principles laid down
in the Philadelphia Declaration that labour is not a commodity and poverty
anywhere constitutes dangers to prosperity everywhere.
Noting that currently the
internationally recognized instruments are at risk in the process of
globalization that demands greater unity and stronger solidarity amongst the
trade unions nationally, regionally and globally.
Recalling that realization of decent
work for workers everywhere is a primary responsibility from which states can
not be absolved of.
Emphasizing that provision of basic
services – education, health care, shelter, safe drinking water and sanitation
- is the sole responsibility of the state.
Having come to the conclusion that
challenges confronting the working men and women in Pakistan can not be
effectively responded without a stronger and united voice.
Determined to work together to
promote and protect their rights by creating “Pakistan Workers Federation”
initially through merger of three national centers of Pakistan, namely: All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions (APFTU), All Pakistan Federation
of Labour (APFOL) and Pakistan National Federation of Trade Unions (PNFTU).
These Federations would stand dissolved and cease to exist from the date when
National Executive Board of the newly formed Pakistan Workers Federation would
be established. As a second step, work for the eventual one united voice of
working men and women of Pakistan by seeking the merger of other non affiliated
unions and federations with the PWF.
Article – 1 Name and Short Title
The name of this national level trade union organization
shall be Pakistan Workers Federation hereinafter referred to as PWF in
this Constitution.
Article – 2 Headquarter
The Headquarter of the Federation shall be at a place as
determined by National Executive Board and endorsed by the National General
Council of PWF.
Article – 3 Definitions
(a)
“affiliated
unit” shall mean affiliated trade union or an association of workers or
industrial federation.
(b)
“committee/sub
committee” shall mean a body appointed by the National Executive Board for a
specific purpose.
(c)
“federation”
shall mean Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF).
(d)
“industrial
federation” shall mean an organization having affiliation of trade unions
formed in a common or allied industrial sector.
(e)
“National
Executive Board (NEB)” shall mean the executive body as constituted at
the national level under Article 12 of the Constitution.
(f)
“National
General Council (NGC)” shall mean the general body of the Federation as
constituted at the national level under Article 8 of the Constitution.
(g)
“Regional
Executive Board (REB)” shall mean the executive body as constituted at
regional level under Article 14 of the Constitution.
(h)
“Regional
Federation” shall mean a regional branch of the Federation as constituted under
Article 6 of the Constitution.
(i)
“Regional
General Council (RGC)” shall mean regional general body of the
Federation as constituted at the regional level under Article 10 of the
Constitution.
Article
– 4 Aims and Objects
The aims and objects of the Pakistan Workers Federation
shall be:
(a)
to establish,
maintain and develop a powerful and effective national organization consisting
of free and democratic trade unions, independent of any external domination and
pledged to the task of promoting the interests of working people throughout
Pakistan and enhancing the dignity of labour;
(b)
to co-ordinate,
direct and guide the activities of regional federations, the affiliated
industry-wise unions and their industrial federations, in all matters directly
or indirectly affecting the workers;
(c)
to preserve,
secure, maintain and seek universal recognition for the workers of Pakistan:
-
freedom of association;
-
freedom of
assembly;
-
freedom of
speech;
-
freedom of
press;
-
right of collective
bargaining;
-
right of strike
or withdrawal of labour;
-
right to decent
work, human dignity and social security; and
-
equal rights and
privileges in employment, irrespective of race, colour, creed and sex;
(d)
to undertake and
coordinate the defense of the free trade unions against any campaign aiming at
their destruction or at the restriction of their rights or at the infiltration
and subjugation of labour organization by totalitarian or other anti-labour
forces;
(e)
to strive for
the establishment of full employment; the elimination of discrimination on
grounds of race, colour, sex, nationality or creed; the improvement of working
conditions; health and safety standards for workers; the introduction,
maintenance and extension of social security for all; and raising standards of
living of peoples of Pakistan;
(f)
to represent the
free trade union movement in all regional and international forums which exist
or may be set up to perform functions affecting the social and economic
conditions of working peoples and to further the implementation of their
decisions whenever desirable;
(g)
to ensure the
integration of women in trade union organizations and actively promote gender
equality in activities and decision-making at all levels;
(h)
to strive for
elimination of child labour and all forms of forced/ bonded labour;
(i)
to endeavor to
strengthen international solidarity amongst the working men and women of the
world and in particular to actively co-operate with the workers of other
countries to defend and promote fundamental and democratic rights of workers
and other common interests and to support and co-operate with national,
regional and international organizations of workers in their struggle against
all forms and kinds of exploitation and oppression and to create solidarity
among national, regional and international level workers’ organizations;
(j)
to defend and
promote at the national, regional and international level the economic, social
and occupational interests of all workers;
(k) to promote peace
and security at the national, regional and international level for the human
welfare, particularly for the working men and women;
(l) to seek
universal recognition and enforcement of the trade union rights including the
rights of freedom of association and to bargain collectively;
(m) to represent
Pakistani workers at national, regional and international forums;
(n) to furnish to
all its affiliated units and the constituent regional federations information
on the economy, employment, labour legislations, wages and working conditions
at workplaces in different parts of the country, as well as at the regional and
global level;
(o) to endeavor to
secure improved and better relationship between employers and workers;
(p) to promote and
protect the interest of the affiliated units and endeavor to secure legislative
support for furthering the interests of the workers;
(q)
to work for
abolition of contract labour in all its forms;
(r) to help and
guide the working men and women particularly the rural peasants to organize
themselves into trade unions and rural workers organisations for promotion and
protection of their rights, and also work for the introduction of land reforms
as well as abolition of feudalism;
(s) To encourage and
promote cooperatives and socio-economic projects and services for the benefit
of its affiliates and their members;
(t)
to promote
literacy and skills amongst the workers through:
i.
adult education;
and
ii.
universal and
free secondary education, vocational training and technical education;
(u)
to work for
rapid industrialization of the country;
(v)
to seek for a social
and policy dialogue to reflect trade union perspective in the formulation of
socio-economic policies and plans of the government in order to ensure
sustainable and equitable development;
(w)
to encourage,
promote and provide trade union education for awareness raising amongst the
workers, organizing the unorganized and development of the affiliated
unions/federations;
(x)
to seek
ratification and enforcement of all ILO Conventions especially the Core Labour
Standards;
(y)
to endeavor to
have 40 hour week norm for workers without reduction in wages;
(z)
to promote,
protect and defend all human rights and to establish and promote cooperation
with like minded organizations of civil society for protection and advancement
of all basic rights; and
(aa)
to endeavor for
the establishment of rule of law, independence of judiciary and good
governance.
Article – 5 Affiliation (Membership)
(a)
The
affiliation with the Federation shall be open to all the trade unions,
associations of workers and industrial federations, provided they:
(i) subscribe to
the aims and objects of the Federation as defined in the Constitution;
(ii) ensure
democratic conduct of their affairs in accordance with the provisions of their
constitutions, rules and practices; and
(iii)
undertake to fulfill the obligations
arising from their affiliation to the Federation as provided under Article 25.
(b)
Procedure
for Affiliation
The following shall be the procedure
for affiliation:
(i)
Application for
affiliation duly signed by its General secretary and President shall be submitted
on prescribed form to the General Secretary of the Federation together with the
proforma and instrument of affiliation.
(ii)
The membership
fee shall be Rs. 500 (for those having membership of 300 or less) and Rs.
1,000 (for those having membership exceeding 300).
(iii)
The General Secretary after seeking
recommendation from the concerned regional federation within 45 days of the
receipt of application for affiliation shall place the application along with
the views of regional federation before the National Executive Board which
shall have the power to accept, reject or defer the application.
(iv)
The
industry-wise trade unions or industrial federations having membership in more
than one region shall apply directly to the General Secretary of the Federation
for membership and the application will be placed directly before the National
Executive Board (NEB) for affiliation and after acceptance of application for
affiliation shall become an affiliate member of the Regional Federation where
the head office of the affiliate is located. However, on the basis of its
membership in other regions, it may take part in the activities and affairs of
other Regional Federations provided its share of union dues are paid to the
regions concerned.
(v)
After obtaining
the NEB approval of the affiliation of a union with the Federation, the General
Secretary of the Federation within 10 days of receipt of the above approval
shall forward the certificate of affiliation to the union concerned and shall
also inform concerned region/regions about the affiliation of the union along
with the affiliated union’s Proforma.
Article
– 6 Regional Federation
Subject to the decisions as may be made by the Federation
from time to time, there shall be eight constituent regional Federations of the
Pakistan Workers Federation. Their nomenclature, geographical coverage and
jurisdiction shall be as under:
(A) Pakistan Workers
Federation - Northern Punjab Region
The Head Office of PWF - Northern Punjab Region shall be
located at Rawalpindi/Islamabad and it shall cover trade unions and industrial
federations located in the districts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum,
Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat and Sialkot.
The Head Office of PWF - Central Punjab Region shall be
located at Lahore and it shall cover trade unions and industrial federations
located in the districts of Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakar, Lahore,
Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Gujranwala and Hafizabad.
(C) Pakistan Workers Federation - Southern Punjab
Region
The Head Office of PWF - Southern Punjab Region shall be
located at Multan and it shall cover trade unions and industrial federations of
the districts of Multan, Sahiwal, Vehari, Pak Pattan, Khanewal, Lodharan, Dera
Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzzafar Garh, Leiah, Bahawalpur, Bahawal Nagar and Rahim
Yar Khan.
|
Upto
250 |
|
One Representative
|
|
from 251 to 500 |
|
Two Representative |
|
from 501 to 1000 |
|
Three Representative |
|
from 1,001 to
2,000 |
|
Four Representative |
|
for each additional slab
of 1500 (or major fraction thereof)
|
|
One Representative
|
