Pakistan: May Day in pandemic / demonstrations, PTUDC seminars and protests
By Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC)
This year's May Day has been commemorated in times of a global pandemic. The world has been quarantined due to the coronavirus crisis. Also in Pakistan there is a total or partial quarantine. To ensure the safety of workers and activists, Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC) restricted their massive public demonstrations, seminars and activities and organized a “Virtual May Day Event” through social networks, as well as symbolic demonstrations and study circles in more than 25 localities of Pakistan and its administered areas in Kashmir.
Virtual Workers' Day Event
The event began at 10 in the morning and continued until the afternoon. Hundreds of workers and students from different institutions and cities, including abroad, They connected to the demonstration online, in which they spoke 45 union and student leaders 34 unions and organizations, together with representatives of the Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC). Activists and leaders of PTUDC and the National Students Federation of Jammu Kashmir (JKNSF) from England, Spain and Malaysia also spoke at the virtual demonstration.
Part 1
Speakers at the virtual event included Nazar Mengal, Quetta PTUDC central president; Anwar Panhwar, provincial president of PTUDC Sindh of Dadu; Akbar Memon, Pakistan Steel Mills Joint Action Committee leader, Karachi; Liaquat Sahi, chairman of Democratic Union of State Bank of Pakistan Karachi; Sheikh Majeed, president of Skyways Union PIA of Karachi; Nisar Chandio, Hyderabad PTUDC leader; Azam Swati, leader of the Hyderabad NADRA Employees Union; Sheikh Adnan Ali, General Secretary of the Treat Corporation Employees Union, Hyderabad; Parshuram, leader of Mirpur Khas Paramedical Staff Association; Aziz Abbas, del Comité Municipal Sadiqabad; Abbas Taj, President of Sadiqabad Painters Union; Wahab Din Lashari, General Secretary of the Fauji Fertilizer Corporation Workers Union (FFC), Sadiqabad; Jahanzeb Babar, union leader of Fatima Fertilizer, Rahimyar Khan; Habib Chandio, PWD District President, Rahim Yar Khan; Asghar Dashti, leader of the Guddu Power Plant Workers Union, Kashmir; Hameed Akhtar, President of the Baldia Union, Like Addu; Muhammad Sami, student leader of, Multan; Akram Noori, President of the Power Looms Union, Multan; Chaudhry Asif Karim, Multan Lawyer; Rabia, representative of Multan bank employees; Muhammad Tauqeer, director of All Pakistan PTCL Pensioners Association of Sialkot; Dr. Sarmad, leader of the Great Alliance for Health (GHA) Punjab of Lahore, Farooq Tariq, General Secretary of Lahore Farmers Coordination Committee, Malik Fateh Khan, leader of the WAPDA Hydro Union of Attock; Siraj Khattak, District Chairman of the People's Labor Bureau, Attock; Shahid Anwar, Wah Cantt PTUDC leader; Ramzan Leghari Presidente del People’s Unity PIA, Rawalpindi; Fauzia Fatima, leader of Pakistan Secretariat Employees of Rawalpindi; Javed Ahmed, Chairman of Rawalpindi Municipal Committee Employees Union; King Imran, leader of the Rawalpind Railway Union; Sundus Noor, Islamabad healthcare workers; Omer Abdullah, Organizer of the Student Revolutionary Front (RSF) from Islamabad; Malik Shakeel Aw, Information Secretary Pakistan Paramedical Association, Islamabad; y Syed Arif Shah, President of Islamabad Public Service Store Employees Union.
Part 2
From Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the speakers were, Abrar Latif, Central President of Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) de Rawalakot; Yasir Hanif, Secretary General of the JKNSF of Palandri; Saad Nasir, Palandri Kashmir Teachers Union; Tariq Chughtai of Muzaffarabad; Aftab Ahmed, District General Secretary of Kashmir PWD Union; Ismatullah Abid, District General Secretary YDA Kashmir; Asif Shaheen, Central President of Kashmir Health Employees Organization; Khalil Babar, JKNSF leader of Datot and Bushra Aziz, Bagh Pakistani Administered Kashmir PTUDC Women Organizer.
Part 3
Overseas speakers included Amjad Shahsawar, former president of JKNSF and organizer of PTUDC Malaysia; Irfan Yaqub, President of the JKNSF in the United Kingdom, London Branch and Bilal Rind, organizer of the PTUDC Spain of Barcelona.
Part 4
Speakers stressed that the current coronavirus crisis has exposed the brutality of neoliberal capitalism and the ruling elite, the system has practically collapsed. The deterioration of the health system is evident throughout the world. The situation of the working class in Pakistan also deteriorates due to the quarantine. A relentless series of forced evictions and wage cuts has begun amid the crisis. The State is also not taking concrete measures to improve the situation of workers. Speakers expressed solidarity with healthcare workers fighting on the front lines against coronavirus and demanded the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (EPP) basics for all employees in the health sector. They also demanded bonuses for all health workers equal to annual salaries.. They demanded 8 hours of work in all public and private institutions with a minimum wage equivalent to 12 grams of gold. They also demanded job security for all employees who are being threatened with eviction due to the quarantine.. The student leader demanded relaxation of fees and semester break during the crisis and called for free education for all. Speakers highlighted the provision of basic food for workers during the quarantine and supported the PTUDC program against the crisis.
Part 5
Qamar Uz Zaman Khan, Sadiqabad PTUDC Central General Secretary, concluded the “virtual demonstration”, thanked all the speakers and highlighted the unity of workers internationally against the coronavirus crisis. He said that unity and solidarity among workers can eradicate epidemics and end the carnage of capitalism. A socialist organization is an essential tool for workers in the fight against capitalism and imperialism. Let us build the forces of socialism for the emancipation of the working class.
Summary of the virtual Labor Day event by Qamar Uz Zaman
In addition to the virtual May Day event, symbolic demonstrations and seminars organized by the PTUDC were held, the JKNSF and trade union organizations in Pakistan and its administered areas of Kashmir.
Quetta
Pakistan Balochistan Workers Confederation, the United Workers' Federation of Balochistan, Balochistan Workers Federation, The PTUDC and other union organizations organized a political event to commemorate May Day and pay tribute to the struggle of the Chicago workers. The activity was set deliberately simple due to the coronavirus pandemic. Workers from different organizations gathered on the lawn of the Irrigation Office. The stage secretary was Lala Zaman. The event was presided over by Mama Salam Baloch and the chief guest was Muhammad Hassan Baloch, Secretary of Pakistan Workers Federation. Key speakers were Mama Salam Baloch, Muhammad Hassan Baloch, Hameed Khan of PTUDC, Manzoor Baloch of Martine Daw Factory, Ali Bux Jamali of the Irrigation Employees Union and others.
Speakers declared that the current coronavirus pandemic has exposed the rulers and their capitalist system. Not only governments, but your system fails completely. On the other hand, hundreds of children die from other preventable diseases. The government has closed the country, but it has not provided basic needs to the common people. Millions of families face hunger due to unemployment caused by quarantine, but the government is busy mocking the people and shuffling cabinets. further, the speakers stated that after the end of the confinement, the workers will react against all the oppression of capitalism. A labor movement will eradicate capitalism and the workers' revolution will become a reality.
Clutter
Pakistan's Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC) organized a protest in Kalat on the occasion of International Workers' Day. PTUDC activists enthusiastically participated in the protest. Participants held banners with slogans against the imperialist and anti-worker policies of the IMF and the government. Addressing the participants, Nazar Mengal, PTUDC central president, paid tribute to the martyrs of Chicago and affirmed that the struggle of the Chicago workers is an example for the workers of the world. Your sacrifices will not be in vain, said Comrade Mengal.
Karachi
To pay tribute to the Chicago martyrs and in memory of the struggle and sacrifices, PTUDC activists, RSF and JKNSF organized two programs in Karachi. One in Akhtar Colony and another in Gulshan-e-Maymar.
A Akhtar Colony, event speakers saluted the struggle and sacrifices of the Chicago martyrs, and they also committed to carrying forward their mission to address the challenges facing the global working class.. Our goal is to end barbaric capitalism and build socialism, they said. Zakaullah Rao, Zahid Arif and Haseeb Ahsan were among the speakers, while addressing the meeting and demanding the government to provide basic ration to the workers during the lockdown caused by COVID-19 and accept the demands of the health workers and immediately increase the health budget.
Another meeting was held at Gulshan-e-Maymar which was attended by workers and students of different institutions. Rustam Jamali, Riaz, el Dr. Haseeb Khan, Zaheer Saifi and Fayaaz Chandio spoke to the participants. Speakers shed light on and paid tribute to the struggle of Chicago workers. At the end of the session, a symbolic procession was held. Participants carried signs focused on the international solidarity of workers and their demands.
Dice
An event was held in the municipal park to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago. Leaders and representatives of different labor organizations and unions attended the demonstration following safety precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic.. They spoke Imran zaonr, district organizer Raheel Zaonr of the Revolutionary Students Front (RSF) by Dadu; Moryal Panwhar, of the Highway Union; Abbas Vighio, of the Rickshaw automobile union and the leader of the PTUDC, Hanif Misrani. Speakers paid tribute to the struggle of Chicago workers. They emphasized that the working class is seriously affected by the quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, They demanded the government to take practical measures to provide adequate ration to the workers, waiving the fees of all students and immediately waiving the bills of all workers.
Sehwan
On the occasion of May Day, PTUDC organized a ceremony in Sehwan, in which speakers spoke about the importance of International Workers' Day, the crisis of capitalism and the plight of today's workers, the contractual system, forced dismissals, salary cuts and ban on unionization. Speakers discussed in detail the problems faced by workers in a pandemic, in all necessary sectors, including healthcare workers and their solutions.
K. N. Shah
The PTUDC and the Unemployed Youth Movement (BNT) They organized an event in Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sindh to pay tribute to the struggle of Chicago workers. PTUDC's Ijaz Bhagio and BNT's Shoail Chandio spoke at the event. They also expressed solidarity with health workers fighting the coronavirus..
Mirpur Bathoro
PTUDC comrades and union activists organized a demonstration in front of Mirpur Bathoro press club to mark May Day. The PTUDC leader of the Sajawal District, Sikandar, spoke with those present and paid tribute to the struggle of the Chicago martyrs.
Bhan Syedabad
In relation to International Workers' Day, PTUDC held a ceremony in Bhan Syaedabad, Sindh. In which representatives of workers and students participated. The activity was directed by Anwar Panhwar, PTUDC president of Sindh province. They paid tribute to the struggle of Chicago workers. The ceremony ended with the International.
Rahimyar Khan
On International Workers' Day, the PTUDC and the Rahim Yar Khan District Workers' Action Committee, They organized a symbolic protest demonstration in front of the press club. Several union representatives attended, including Ali Malik, Imran Arshad, Nadeem Malik, Rabbani Baloch, Naeem Mahendra, M.D Ganga, Nazir Larr Advocate, Umair Khan Dahar, Umair Bhatti, Sajjad Shah Advocate, among others. They paid tribute to the Chicago martyrs and took a solemn oath to oppose all forms of exploitation and oppression and continue the struggle until a socialist revolution.
Jampur
At PTUDC, el RSF and Unemployment Nojawaan Tehreek (BNT) They organized a political event to commemorate May Day in Jampur. The comrades and activists of Jampur, Beat Mughlaan, Preach, Muhammad Pur and Fazal Pur participated in this event. Raul Lound, Shehryar Zoaq, Read Bilal, Abdul Kareem Mohsin, Asif Gashkori, Fakhar Awan, Asad Ameen Gopang, Ammar Ajmal, Suqrat Lound, Simple Somroo, Tayyab Rafiq, Hatim Lound and Zafar Ahmadani, were among the speakers. The program began with the poetry of Abdul Mohsin Kareem. Speakers claimed that the coronavirus pandemic and other diseases that have created a health emergency are the result of capitalists' drive to make profits. They also highlighted the background of the current crisis. Supporters of capitalism are trying to hide behind the coronavirus crisis. The quarantine has caused the number of unemployed and poor to skyrocket. On the other hand, capitalists are busy making huge profits. Workers will face more severe economic and political attacks from their governments, They will become a wall to protect the masses from the capitalist system and will soon unite to overthrow inhuman capitalism.
At the end of the act, a resolution of demands was presented. All healthcare workers should obtain PPE and other preventive items. The private health sector must be nationalized. The health budget must be increased 20 percent. Stop the privatization of health and education institutes. Stop paying national and international debts. All daily wage workers must receive a monthly stipend equal to the minimum wage during the lockout. No sector should be allowed to lay off workers. Small farmers' debts must be canceled. Farmers should receive loans without any interest. Down with capitalism.
Like Addu
The PTUDC and the Kot Addu Workers' Action Committee organized a seminar in which representatives of the PTUDC, including Nadeem Pasha, Ali Akbar, Amir Lateef and Hameed Akhtar, addressed the participants. Speakers expressed solidarity with healthcare workers fighting coronavirus on the front lines. They took an oath to continue their struggle until the socialist revolution. Participants also watched the Karl Marx biographical film “The Young Marx.”, and then they had a discussion about it.
Faisalabad
On International Workers' Day, PTUDC organized a study group in Faisalabad. The agenda was “May Day and coronavirus crisis in Pakistan”. Ali Turab shed light on the history of May Day, then Sharjeel Moosa explained the problems facing the working class these days. Arslan explained how false and completely useless quarantine measures have been taken to contain the coronavirus. ElDr. Umer Rasheed explained the causes of the spread of this virus and its effects on the working class and the global economy. It was also highlighted that only a socialist revolution and a workers-planned economy can rescue the world from such pandemics and the impending economic crisis..
Sialkot
May Day, PTUDC organized a symbolic protest rally to pay tribute to the Chicago martyrs, attended by students and workers. Protesters raised slogans for capitalism and a socialist revolution during the rally. Nasir Butt of the PTUDC spoke, Ayaz Tipu del RSF, Ansar Baghi and others, The participants promised to continue their fight until socialist victory.
Lahore
The Railway Union celebrated May Day at the Engine Shed, Lahore. The union leader, central president Muhammad Sarfraz Ahmad, el secretary general Anayat Ali Gujjar, Rana Tariq, Muhammad Imran and Muhammad Asim spoke at the event. They paid tribute to the Chicago martyrs and promised to carry forward their mission to improve the lives of the working class. They demanded an increase in 100 percent in workers' salaries in the next fiscal budget.
Hassan Abdal
Pakistan's Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC) and the Revolutionary Student Front (RSF) They organized an event in Hassan Abdal to commemorate International Workers' Day. Students and workers from different institutes participated. Saqib Sohail, from PTUDC, served as stage secretary, while the district president of the People's Labor Bureau, Attock Siraj Gul Khatak, and the leader of the PTUDC, Shahid Anwar, they spoke to the audience. They paid tribute to the Chicago martyrs and shed light on the problems facing workers today.
Swat
On the occasion of International Labor Day, PTUDC organized a seminar in Gwalerai, Swat. It was chaired by Rafat Ali and Khair Ullah spoke, Bacha Zada, Khurshed Ali, Rashid Shelmani and Abdul Malik. Speakers said centuries had passed since the Chicago workers' struggle, but we still live in difficult conditions. They concluded that the workers' struggle can only reach its destination by overthrowing capitalism and establishing a socialist economic structure..
Malakanda
The PTUDC and the PWD Union organized an event on the occasion of Workers' Day in Malakand. Representatives of different labor organizations and unions participated. The event was led by the vice president of the PTUDC Ghufran Ahad, PWD union provincial president Gul Zamin and district president Faqeer Shah, Provincial General Secretary of Irrigation Employees Association Muhammad Nabi and District President Shafi Ullah, the president of the union of fourth class employees, Peer Saeed Khan and Iqbal Zaman. The speakers said that in 1886 workers in Chicago fought collectively, regardless of all ethnic and religious divisions, to reduce working hours. They made history and sacrificed their lives for their cause. They also said that capitalism has not been able to fulfill. At the end of the act, unanimous statements were approved in favor of the demands of workers from different departments.
Pakistan-administered Kashmir
On the occasion of International Workers' Day, JKNSF and PTUDC comrades held seminars and symbolic protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. While they paid tribute to the struggle of the Chicago martyrs, They pledged to continue their fight until socialist victory.
They demanded the provision of personal protective equipment (EPP) to doctors, nurses, paramedics and all hospital staff, They also demanded to suspend online classes, waive student fees and provide rations and financial assistance to quarantine victims.
They demanded an immediate ceasefire on the Line of Control (Place) and stopping the massacre of Kashmiri people across borders.
Speakers further said the virus has exposed the historic failure of capitalism.. The survival of workers, students and young people reside in a classless society, through struggle based on scientific socialism.
Muzaffarabad
A symbolic protest was held, organized by PTUDC and JKNSF in the so-called capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Muzaffarabad. Addressed by former JKNSF President Rashid Sheikh and leaders of PTUDC and JKNSF, including Tariq Chughtai, Awais Ali Raja Naseer, Marwat Rathore and others.
Rawlakot
Seminar and symbolic protest organized at JKNSF central secretariat in Rawlakot. Former JKNSF President Bisharat Ali Khan, PTUDC district organizer Umar Shafi and other PTUDC and JKNSF leaders, including Bilal Amir, Altmash Tassadaq, Badar Rafique and others, They headed to the seminar.
Khaigala
On the occasion of Workers' Day, PTUDC and JKNSF organized a symbolic protest at KhaiGala. The central president of the JKNSF Abrar Latif, senior PTUDC leader Jannat Hussain, Farooq Khan, Wajid Khan, Zahid Iqbal, Riaz Baloch, Waqas Bashir and others spoke at the protest.
Ali Sojal
In relation to May Day, PTUDC and JKNSF organized a symbolic protest in Ali Sojal. Former JKNSF chief organizer Tanveer Anwar, JKNSF Publications Editor Shafqat Rahim Dad and others addressed the meeting.
Hajeera
JKNSF organized a symbolic protest on the occasion of International Workers' Day in Hajeera. The protest was led by JKNSF Undersecretary of Finance Arslan Shani, Usama, Usman Aziz and others.
Senhsa Kotli
A protest was organized on the occasion of May Day under the banners of the PTUDC and the JKNSF. Yasir and others addressed the protest.
Palandri
PTUDC and JKNSF jointly organized an event on the occasion of Workers' Day in which Kashmir PTUDC leader Abdul Wahid spoke, Saeed Jamal Nasir and others.
The date
JKNSF and PTUDC comrades organized an event at Shokatabad market to commemorate International Workers' Day. Former senior vice president of the JKNSF Khalil Babar spoke, Zulfiqar Shabir, Adil Bashir and Asad Anwar.
Indian-occupied Kashmir
Comrade Yousuf Tarigami, leader of the Communist Party of India and four-time MP from Kulgam, Kashmir of India, and Srinagar Valley, organized a symbolic commemoration of May Day. Paid tribute to the Chicago martyrs, condemned the brutal policies of the Modi regime, expressed solidarity with health sector employees and demanded the provision of PPE to all health workers. Condemned state brutality in Kashmir. He raised slogans for the unity of the working class throughout the world and promised to carry forward the struggle until socialist victory..
