Pakistan

Representatives of one of Pakistan’s major labor-oriented political parties say that the government has failed to protect the country’s millions of workers. Speaking in reference to a number of deadly incidents that have occurred in recent months, including the collapse of a plastic bag factory earlier this month, leaders with the Awami Workers’ Party (AWP) said that the government has not done enough to keep workers all across the country safe, citing lax enforcement of regulations. The group says it has planned a demonstration later this month demanding accountability. (The Express Tribune)
 
Textile industry leaders in Pakistan are urging the government to stop the flow of Indian textiles into the country from Dubai, also known as “third-country import.” Business leaders and production facility owners note that there is very little textile production in Dubai, even though Pakistan receives large quantities of products from there, and have asked the government to begin asking Dubai exporters to provide certificates of origin for their products before shipping them to Pakistan. (Fibre2Fashion)
 
The Labour Education Foundation is embarking on a new effort to organize and educate Pakistan’s home-based garment and textile workers. The group says that up to 75% of “informal, home-based” workers are women, many of whom are paid lower wages than their counterparts in factories and who often face discrimination by men. The group is pressing the government to grant home workers the same rights and protections given to all other workers in the industry. (The News International)