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Viewing cable 08ISLAMABAD857, PAKISTAN WORKERS FEDERATION SECRETARY GENERAL CRITICAL OF

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08ISLAMABAD857 2008-02-27 14:34 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Islamabad
VZCZCXRO8706
RR RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHIL #0857/01 0581434
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271434Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5427
INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9116
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 4963
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 3656
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 000857 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ELAB ETRD PGOV SOCI PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN WORKERS FEDERATION SECRETARY GENERAL CRITICAL OF 
GOVERNMENT INATTENTION TO LABOR RIGHTS 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: In a February 13 meeting with Economic and 
Commercial Affairs Counselor, Pakistan Workers' Federation (PWF) 
Secretary General Khursheed Ahmad criticized the Government of 
 
SIPDIS 
Pakistan's (GOP) economic and labor policies, accusing them of 
"taking for granted that labor doesn't matter."  The PWF, Pakistan's 
largest civil society organization outside of political parties, is 
not aligned with any party and encourages its workers to vote for 
pro-labor candidates.  The PWF leadership's primary goal is to keep 
the labor movement united and independent.  Ahmad was generally 
positive about the United States but criticized the role of "feudal 
families" in hindering political development in Pakistan. End 
Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Economic and Commercial Affairs Counselor and Commercial 
Specialist met with Pakistan Workers' Federation (PWF) Secretary 
General Khursheed Ahmad at the Federation's headquarters on February 
13 in Lahore to discuss the union's activities and prospects. 
Ahmad, who began as a shop steward in 1947, has been PWF Secretary 
General since 1972 and currently sits on the International Labor 
Organization (ILO) Governing Board. The dues-funded PWF has 800,000 
members, 97 percent of whom are male.  The PWF is Pakistan's largest 
labor federation and constitutes the country's largest civil society 
organization outside of political parties. 
 
3. (SBU) Ahmad's major concern is to keep the labor movement united 
and independent. The PWF is not aligned with any political party and 
encourages its workers to vote for pro-labor candidates.  The PWF's 
labor manifesto focuses on education, equal rights for men and women 
and improving social safety programs.  The PWF approached each of 
the political parties prior to the February 18 parliamentary 
elections, advocating the inclusion of the PWF manifesto in party 
platforms.  The country's political parties all have labor wings, 
Ahmad explained, and cited the Jamaat-e-Islami's labor wing as being 
particularly strong. Ahmad also criticized the MQM (Muttahida Qaumi 
Movement) for wanting to go one step further and form its own labor 
union. 
 
4. (SBU) Secretary General Ahmad was very critical of the Musharraf 
government's economic policies and its effects on the working class, 
most notably inflation and increased unemployment.  He noted that a 
growing number of firms were closing due to power outages.  He also 
drew a connection between the worsening political situation and its 
negative effects on exports, citing that "textile buyers are no 
longer coming to Pakistan."  Ahmad further opined that the military 
government "has held the development of the political process back" 
and that the politics are "dominated by capitalists and feudal 
families." Ahmad faulted the Government of Pakistan (GOP) for not 
engaging more actively with organized labor, reportedly "taking for 
granted that labor doesn't matter."  Ahmad also targeted the World 
Bank, criticizing its emphasis on deregulation and privatization 
without the creation of a social safety net.  "The workers are being 
ignored and there is no dialogue with the unions," Ahmad lamented, 
citing in particular the privatization of Pakistan National Bank 
(PNB), Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PCTL) and the Karachi 
Electric Supply Company (KESC). 
 
5. (SBU) Ahmad was disparaging of provincial government decisions to 
suspend surprise labor inspections, but was not optimistic that this 
decision would be changed any time soon.  Since 2003, labor 
inspections have been heavily regulated in Punjab, Sindh and the 
Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). Inspection teams must request 
permission from provincial chief labor inspectors prior to visiting 
factories.  Local businesses are informed in advance of impeding 
inspections, limiting the effectiveness of the labor condition 
monitoring.  Inspections with advance notice, Ahmad commented, 
simply do not have the same effect. 
 
6. (SBU) Ahmad did, however, share his positive impressions of 
corporate social responsibility programs underway in the export 
sector.  It is important to learn from the Saga experience in 
Sialkot, he continued, crediting Nike's decision to halt soccer ball 
production for increasing the visibility of the issue of core worker 
rights.  (Note:  In November 2006, sporting goods manufacturer Nike 
ceased doing business with SAGA sports, a major supplier of soccer 
balls based in Sialkot, due to child labor concerns. End Note.) 
Ahmed reacted positively to the idea of Reconstruction Opportunity 
Zones (ROZs), in particular to the worker rights provisions that 
would accompany the ROZs.  He promised to publicly support the 
initiative once legislation is introduced, highlighting the 
potential benefit for better working conditions. 
 
7. (SBU) In response to questions about child labor in Pakistan, 
 
ISLAMABAD 00000857  002 OF 002 
 
 
Ahmad regretfully admitted that in many cases, economic necessity 
drives families to send their children to work.   He acknowledged 
that the child labor situation was much better now in the carpet 
industry, thanks to ILO programs.  Employer awareness has increased, 
and the government and the ILO have set up schools for children once 
employed in the carpet industry. 
 
8. (SBU) Comment:  Ahmad was clearly pleased to meet with Embassy 
representatives and appreciative of the support that the U.S. has 
given the labor movement over the years.  The PWF has remained more 
or less apolitical since its formation, reluctant to enter the 
political fray or endorse specific candidates. By sheer numbers 
alone, however, the PWF has the potential to influence millions of 
households and voters across Pakistan.  The Federation's leadership 
is, by all indications, secular, progressive and pro-American in its 
orientation.  Despite the organization's size and potential, it is 
clear that Ahmed is not in a position to breathe new life into 
Pakistan's labor movement or to make it a force for social change in 
the short term.  End comment. 
 
PATTERSON