By Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC)
#GetOutIMF Rallies, seminars and programs are held by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) and also intervened in workers programs in more than 30 cities and towns of the country and Kashmir to commemorate International Labour Day and to pay tribute to the struggle of the Chicago Martyrs. A brief report of these programs is being published here for our readers. PTUDC along with Revolutionary Students Front (RSF), Peoples Revolutionary Front (PRF) and Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) conducted a wall poster campaign for May Day 2023, which included the following demands:
- Get Out IMF
- Immediate fifty per cent rise in salaries.
- The minimum wage to be raised equal to the value of one tola gold.
- An immediate end to the policy of privatization, unemployment, forced dismissals and contracting system.
- Collective democratic ownership of workers of all industries and the economy.
Rawalpindi
On the occasion of May Day 2023, a grand rally held at Murree Road Rawalpindi. Municipal Labor Union (TMA), Railway Labor Union, Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign (PTUDC), RSF and JKNSF organized a rally and public meeting on the occasion of May Day. Thousands of workers and youth participated in the rally and paid tribute to the struggle of the Chicago martyrs. They vowed to fight against inflation, unemployment, privatization, contractual system and IMF policies.
Rawalpindi (Ferrocarriles)
Railway Labour Union took motorbike rally from Loco Shed to the Public meeting at the Murree Road Rawalpindi.
Hassan Abdal (Attock)
May Day 2023 ceremony was organized in Hassan Abdal by Peoples Labor Bureau Attock district and PTUDC. Hundreds of private sector workers including Fauji Mill, Gunj Glass Factory, Fauji Cement, and Kiln brick workers participated in paying homage to the martyrs of Chicago and intensifying the struggle against the IMF dictated government policies in Pakistan. Prsident PLB district Attock Siraj Gul Khatak, RSF North Punjab Organiser Omar Abdullah and PTUDC International Secretary Imran Kamyana also spoke to the event.
Hyderabad
A historic #GetOutIMF rally was organized in Hyderabad on the occasion of May Day by Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign. Hundreds of male and female workers and activists from PTUDC, All Pakistan Clerks Association, All Pakistan OGDCL Mazdoor Etihad Union, NADRA Employees Rehabilitation Movement, TREET Corporation Employees Union participated in the protest rally. APCA Central General Secretary Asad Durrani, NADRA leader Raza Khan Swati and PTUDC leaders Rahul and Jam Sarang and others from different labor unions addressed the protest rally.
Karachi
As per the tridition, on May 1st, various trade unions and federations jointly organized a rally in front of the Karachi Press Club to commemorate International Labour Day in Karachi. In which PTUDC delegation led by Faisal from the PTUDC, Abid from the RSF and Zahid Arif from JKNSF participated along with comrades and activists in the rally with their banners and flags and paid homage to the martyrs of Chicago.
Quetta
A historic rally organized by the Pakistan Workers Confederation held in Quetta to pay tribute to the workers of Chicago. In which workers from different sectors, trade unions and leaders participated in full swing. The rally ended in a public meeting in which the representatives of the workers expressed their views. PTUDC central chairman Nazar Mengal also spoke to the event.
Mastung
A historic rally organized by the Pakistan Workers’ Confederation was organized in Mastung, Baluchistan to pay tribute to the workers of Chicago. Workers from different sectors, trade unions and leaders participated in the rally. The public meeting was addressed by the representatives of the workers including PTUDC leader Abdul Rahman.
Malakand
On the night of April 30th, May Day activity was organized in Malakand by Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC). In which workers belonging to different walks of life participated. Revolutionary poetry and music were presented. PTUDC Central Vice Chairman Comrade Ghafran Ahad also addressed the event.
Swat
Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) organised a program in Swat to pay tribute to the struggle of Chicago Martyrs. Workers from different sections of the society participated in the program.
Dadu
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, a grand #GetOutIMF rally was taken out by the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) from Highways Labor Hall to Press Club Dadu on May 1st. Hundreds of workers and youth participated in the rally. Workers of WAPDA Hydro Union, Highways Employees Union, Pakistan Paramedical Staff Association, Municipal Administration Dadu, Lower Staff Association and activists from RSF participated in this rally. On reaching the press club, the rally took the form of a public meeting, which was addressed by Muhammad Muriel Panhwar, Zameer korejo, Raja Rafiq Panhwar, Inayat Jamali, Ghulam Murtaza Bhand, Zamanullah Panhwar, Muhammad Waril Mirani, Hameed Jamali and Anwar Panhwar and paid rich tribute to the martyrs of Chicago.
Bhan Sayedabad
To pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago, a program was organized by PTUDC, RSF and the Unemployed Youth Movement (BNT) at Bahan Sayedabad on the evening of 30th April at the office of The Struggle. In which youth and workers participated. Addressing the program, Iqbal Memon, Shah Muhammad Panhwar, Noorullah Baghio, Badruddin Panhwar, and Anwar Panhwar said that one hundred and thirty years have passed since this incident, but the conditions of the workers are still the same and have not changed because the root of all the problems of the workers is the present capitalist system which consists of exploitation and looting of the workers, therefore the situation will not change without changing it. A revolutionary party should be formed so that this exploitative system can be uprooted and a socialist revolution can be established in its place.
Sehwan
Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) and Revolutionary Rickshaw Union organized a #GetOutIMF rally from Shahbaz Library to Press Club Sehwan to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago on May 1st. Addressing the rally at the Press Club, Sikandar Otho, Iqbal Memon, Badruddin Panhwar, Shahnawaz Shah, Ashiq Chandio and Anwar Panhwar offered red salute to the martyrs of Chicago and said that this oppressive capitalist system has closed all the ways of living for the workers. They have limited the availability of only one time bread, deprived the children of education and treatment. Due to the capitalist system, this society is no longer viable. Therefore, it must be replaced by a socialist revolution.
Khairpur Miras
On the occasion of Labor Day 2023, a grand meeting was organized in Phool Bagh Public Park of Khairpur with the joint support of Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) and United Labor Federation. In which the leaders of various labor organizations participated and paid homage to the martyrs of Chicago and emphasized the importance of working together to achieve the rights of the workers. On this occasion, Amjad Ali Lashari, Shahnawaz Dhot, Ijaz Ali Abbasi, Fayyaz Abbasi, Rehmatullah Manghanwar, Mir Muhammad Pathan, Ihsan Abbasi, Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, Muhammad Hashim Sial, Mehtab Jan Sial, Arab Khoso, Shafqat Ali Abbasi, Mokhtiar Khamisani, Faizullah Soomro, Ali Gohar, Waqar Ahmad Bhutto, Sajid Khoso, Madhad Hussain Baloch, Abdul Latif Ajan and other leaders expressed their views.
Shahdad Kot
On the occasion of May Day, International Workers’ Day, to pay tribute to the struggle and sacrifice of the martyrs of Chicago and to end the inflation, unemployment, privatization, slavery of the IMF and oppression and exploitation of the workers #GetOutIMF rally was taken from Labor Hall Shahdadkot to Sabzi Mandi by PTUDC, RSF and Revolutionary Hari Struggle and other labor organizations. Addressing the meeting at Sabzi Mandi, Muhammad Urs Selro, Ghulamullah Selro, Wahab Pindarani, Sikandar Selro, Gul Jan Brohi, Qadirbakhsh Selro, Sarang Selro demanded that the minimum daily wage of Dharidar labor should be Rs 1500. The monthly salary should be equal to one tola of gold. Inflation should be stopped and all the imperialist debts should be confiscated and to be spent on the welfare of workers.
Nawab Shah
In order to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chicago, #GetOutIMF rally was taken from Allahwala Chowk to Press Club Nawabshah by Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaig nunder the leadership of Comrade Ejaz Sheikh, Wazir Rand and Manzoor Jamali.
Thari Mirwah
On the occasion of International Workers Day, Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign and Watan Dost Mazdoor Federation jointly organized a grand #GetOutIMF rally from Handiari to Thari Mirwah Press Club on 1st May. On reaching there, while addressing the gathering, comrades Sharjeel Shar, Naseem Ijaz, Najib-ur-Rehman, Manzoor Dasti, Ahmed Ali Shar and Ishaq Shar offered red salute to the martyrs and said that the martyred laborers of Chicago have set an example that the capitalists can be fought against and won. they further said that the solution to all the problems here is socialist revolution for which we have to unite and organize the workers.
Sadiqabad
Labor Day 2023 #GetOutIMF rally was organized by Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) in Sadiqabad under the leadership of Central General Secratry PTUDC Qamar uz Zaman Khan on the occasion of May Day. Abbas Taj, Jahanzeb Babar took over the administrative affairs. The rally was officially started from the gate of Rescue 1122 and passing through different routes of the city, it ended at the hall of District Bar Council Sadiqabad. The rally was attended by various labor unions, bodies especially the workers and leaders of Fatima Fertilizer Contract Workers. At the end of the rally, a seminar regarding Labor Day was also organized at District Bar Council Sadiqabad. Masood Afzal performed the duties of the stage secretary of this seminar, while the special guest of the program was Haider Chiftai, central leader of PTUDC and presided over by Syed Mukhtarul Hasan Gul. Azad Farid started the seminar by reciting a revolutionary poem. After that, the Central General Secretary of PTUDC, Qamar uz Zaman Khan, and the special guest of this program, Haider Chughtai, the labor leader and leader of Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign, shed light on the struggle of Chicago workers. While analyzing the current economic, political, social situation and the problems of the working class, they discussed the solution of these problems. They said that this monetary system and market economy, which is based on profiteering and exploitation of the working class, is not a solution to the problems of the working class. Even this capitalist system has lost the scope for reforms. This economic system is going through the worst crisis in its history. It has no option but privatisation and downsizing, which will lead to further unemployment and inflation. They said, for the last 75 years we have seen various political parties and dictatorships that have no policy other than IMF loans and exploitation and oppression of the working class. The only way out for us is to get rid of this market based lust fro profits. It is to be uprooted and the economy to be replace with a planned system based on communism. For this, the united working class and the construction of a revolutionary party is a necessary condition. Abbas Taj and other speakers from various organizations including Ali Hasan Daher of Fatima Fertilizer Contract Workers Union, Students leader Chudhary Izhar, Nawab Deen Lashari of Fuji Fertilizers, President of Rickshaw Union Nadeem Butt, Leader of PWD Habib Chandia, Leader of People’s Labor Bureau Bashir Soomro. Shahid Amir Shahid, dismissed laborer Fatima Fertilizer Jahanzeb Babar, leader of PPP Jam Usman, President of Bar Council Sadiqabad Abdul Hafeez, President of Teacher Association (BTA) Sadiqabad Hafiz Asif Nadeem and General Secretary Wazir Ahmed Maher also expressed thier views. The program was moderated by Syed Mukhtiarul Hasan Gul Sahib in his traditional and unique style.
Rahimyar Khan
A grand #GetOutIMF rally was organized by Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) on the occasion of May Day. In which District Workers Action Committee Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan Food Workers Federation, Unilever Workers Pakistan, Coca Cola Union, Sheikh Zayed Welfare Association, Painters Association, DWAC, MRDU and other organizations’ leadership, workers and PSF and RSF students and activists participated. The rally started from the gate of Unilever Pakistan and ended at Press Club Rahim Yar Khan. On this occasion, the labor leaders discussed the existing situation and the problems of various enterprises. Central leader of PTUDC, Hyder Chaghatai, emphasized on the unity and solidarity of the workers and clarified that we have no other option but to unite and fight for the rights and emencipation of the working class towards socialism.
Umer Kot
May Day 2023 #GetOutIMF rally commemrated by the activits of PTUDC and RSF in front of Umer kot press club to pay homage to the martyrs of Chicago workers and against the imperliast expoliatation.
Gulab Leghari
Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign took #GetOutIMF rally at Gulab Leghari to pay tribute to the struggle of Chicago Workers.
Mirpur Khas
On the occasion of International Labour Day 2023, PTUDC took #GetOutIMF rally at press club Mirpur Khas.
Tando Allahyar
Comrade and activists of RSF and PTUDC took #GetOutIMF rally on the occasion of International Labour Day.
Jampur
The #GetOutIMF protest rally was taken from Jampur Press Club to Dams Gate by PTUDC, RSF and BNT in Jampur on the occasion of International Workers’ Day. The rally was joined by various political and social groups of the city including workers, lawyers, poets and writers. At the end it formed the shape of public meeting where PTUDC central leader Abdul Rauf Khan Lond, RSF leader Hatim Lond, PPP leader Asad Amin and others addressed the meeting while Comrade Qaswar Buzdar performed the duties of the stage secretary in his triditional style.
Multan
A rally was organized in front of Bakhtiar Labor Hall Multan by All Pakistan WAPDA Hydro Electric Workers Union to pay tribute to the workers of Chicago. The rallies was joined by many workers and youth and slogans were raised against rising inflation. The delegation of Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign led Nadeem Pasha also participated in the rally.
Sialkot
To pay tribute to the workers of Chicago, the workers organized a historic rally in Sialkot which eventually turned into a grand meeting afterwards. In which a large number of workers belonging to different walks of life participated. A delegation of PTUDC and RSF attended the function and PTUDC leader Comrade Babar spoke to the event. On this occasion, the stall of “The Struggle” was also set up.
Faisalabad
An event was organized in Faisalabad to pay tribute to the workers of Chicago by Labor Qaumi Moment. In which many people from different walks of life participated. A delegation of PTUDC and RSF attended the program and Comrade Shifa spoke to the event. The stall of “The Struggle” was also set up in the event.
Lahore
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, WAPDA Hydro Electric Workers Union, All Pakistan Works Confederation, PIA People’s Unity CBA, All Pakistan Nadra Revival Movement, All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, PTCL Muttahida Workers Alliance, PWD Employees Union, Pakistan Irrigation Employees Federation, Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union, People’s Labor Bureau, Progressive Labor Federation, Textile Power Loom Garment Workers Federation, TDCP Workers and Staff Union including domestic workers protested in front of Shimla Pahari Press Club Lahore. PTUDC and RSF delegation particiapted in the rally and sold fourtnightly “The Struggle” among the workers. The workers paid tribute to the chicago martyers and vowed to fight the corny capitalism for the emencipation of workers.
Kashmir
Muzaffarabad
People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF), JKNSF and PTUDC organized a protest against inflation, privatization, unemployment, increasing prices of oil and food items and IMF dictated government policies on the occasion of 1st May, the International Workers’ Day. The central organizer of the People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF) Rashid Sheikh and others addressed the protest.
Rawalakot
Workers and activists of PRF and JKNSF joined the public meeting organised by PWD Workers Union on the occasion of May 1st, to pay tirbute the great struggle of Chicago Martyrs. Central Secretary General of People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF) Abrar Latif addressed the meeting and said this society is alive with the labor of the laborer. The laborer wants the government of the people not the IMF.
Kotli
People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF), JKLF and PUTDC in Hollar oragnised a meeting to commemorate May 1st International Workers’ Day and protested against inflation, privatization, unemployment, non-increase in wages and imperialist capitalist exploitation.
Hajira
Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF), People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF) protested against inflation, privatization, unemployment, increasing prices of oil and food items and IMF dictated policies on the occasion of International Workers’ Day. Central Deputy Organizer JKNSF Arslan Shani, Tehsil Hajira Organizer Saifullah and others addressed the protest.
Berian Pachot
Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF), People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF) organized a seminar on the occasion of International Workers’ Day. Central President JKNSF Comrade Khalil Babar and others addressed the seminar.
Srinagar
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mumhammad Yousuf Tarigami spoke to the massive rally taken out by the workers on the occission of international labour day in Sirnagar.
London
Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) UK Branch Chairman Asif Syed, People’s Revolutionary Front (PRF) UK Organizer Irfan Yaqub along with other comrades participated in the protest rally on May 1st, International Workers’ Day organized by different left parties and trade unions and workers organisation in London.