Without Better Governance in the Country, Workers’ Conditions Will Not Improve: Professor Shafi Malik

Karachi: Chairman We-Trust Professor Shafi Malik has said that workers’ conditions will not change in the country without better governance. In Pakistan, workers’ rights are given minimal consideration in the government’s labor policy. In the country that got freedom in the name of Islam, there is nothing for the laborers. The work of the National Labour Federation (NLF) is commendable. In November, an international seminar and exhibition will be held to highlight the history of labor and its issues. He expressed these views while addressing an event held at the office of “We-Trust” on the occasion of the launch of a report covering the 40-year performance of Pakistan Workers Training and Education Trust (We-Trust).

Speaking at the event, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Secretary of the Employers Federation of Pakistan, Syed Nazr Ali, Former Director General of Nilat, Syed Hakim Ali Bukhari, Industrial Relations Adviser of Aga Khan University, Pervez Rahim, Labor Leader of People’s Labor Bureau, Habibuddin Junadi, President of the National Labor Federation Sindh, Shakeel Sheikh, Secretary of We-Trust, Dr. Fawad, and others, delivered their addresses. Additionally, renowned poet Akhtar Saeedi presented his poetry in tribute to Professor Shafi Malik, while Dr. Fawad moderated the event.

While addressing the event, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said that the progress of workers and industries is linked to the restoration of true democracy. The Western capitalist system does not reveal its true face; in this system, wealth starts accumulating in a few hands, and the rich become richer while the poor become poorer. Workers are being exploited in the prevailing contractor system in the country. Taxes are collected, but instead of solving the problems of the people, money is spent on luxuries. He further said that a drama was staged across the country in the name of elections and the mandate of the people was insulted. The people across the country have held a referendum against those who got results of their choice. Those who won the elections are also worried along with those who made them win. The country will not progress until those elected by the choice of the people are given a chance. There is a need for the judiciary to take action against the fake mandate, and those in power also need to understand that forcibly imposing tested people on the country will not solve the problems.

Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said that currently seven out of ten major companies in the world are related to IT technology, and these companies have a large number of young people. We need to raise our voices against the capitalist and feudal system. Student and labor unions are the nurseries of political leadership. For the last 40 years, there have been no student union elections in the country, while the labor unions have been weakened by introducing the contractor system in industrial institutions because how can the parties running on inheritance and will allow the nursery of democracy to flourish when they come to power on the basis of fake power. There is a system of buying and selling in the country and everyone from top to bottom is in the same boat, so we need to strive against the capitalist and feudal system at every level.

Syed Nazr Ali said that today’s event is about the 40-year performance of We-Trust. Today, If We-Trust is a strong tree, the credit goes to Professor Shafi Malik, who nurtured it, and those who trained him, like Maulana Maududi who nurtured such a personality. A great achievement of Professor Shafi Malik was the establishment of the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP) and successfully running it as Secretary-General when Ihsan Ullah Khan was its President.

Habibuddin Junadi said that for the last 40 years until today, Professor Shafi Malik has kept the flame of knowledge burning. No single labor federation, but different-minded personalities including people like Professor Shafi Malik have brought the federation to fruition. Dictatorship has repeatedly attacked democracy in the country, which has harmed the labor movement and the student movement. Today, the biggest reason for the decline is that democracy is not being allowed to flourish.

Syed Hakim Ali Bukhari said that the forty years of service of the We-Trust are of utmost importance. Professor Shafi Malik planted a seed, and today it has become a flourishing tree. At We-Trust, seminars are held regarding the training for industrial relations between employers and employees and similar programs on various industrial topics are also organized for labor federations.

Pervez Rahim said that Professor Shafi Malik worked tirelessly in the labor federation, united the workers, and got their issues resolved.

Shakeel Sheikh said that the representatives elected in the recent elections are only concerned about themselves and have no concern for the people. The price of petrol has witnessed a major surge, but no one cares. Professor Shafi Malik has always raised his voice for the resolution of workers’ issues and brought together all workers and labor federations.