KARACHI:
Labor rights activists and port worker representatives have announced a protest rally outside the Karachi Press Club on February 9 against the proposed closure of the Karachi Dock Labor Board (KDLB), warning that the move could put thousands of workers out of work and dismantle a decades-old regulatory system at the port.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday by leaders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Karachi Dock Labor Board Workers Alliance. Among those who addressed the media were CPDH president Asad Iqbal Butt, union leaders Habib Janedi, Nasir Mansoor, Hussain Badshah, Farhat Parveen and others.
The speakers said that the Karachi Port Labor Board is an autonomous regulatory body responsible for registering port workers and allocating work on a rotational basis. They explained that stevedoring and shipping companies first register with the board, which then regulates their operations. Every time a ship docks at a jetty, the company concerned informs the board of its manpower needs and registered dock workers are deployed accordingly.
They said port workers operate in two shifts and are paid based on the amount of work performed. Salaries are first deposited with the Port Labor Board and, after each month, are transferred directly to the workers’ bank accounts. In addition, a fee is charged per ton of cargo, which is intended for the well-being of port workers.
The leaders emphasized that the Karachi Dock Labor Board does not receive any subsidy from the government and does not pose a financial burden on the state. They allege that a single port user company is pushing for the “economic murder” of 2,600 port workers and accused the government of attempting to dismantle the junta under this pressure.
They further said that six unions have formed a joint alliance to resist the move and have already launched a symbolic strike at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) headquarters, with plans to expand the scope of the protests in the coming days.
Union leaders demanded an immediate end to what they described as a program to leave 2,600 dock workers unemployed. They also called for the payment of pensions to retired employees without deductions, approval of the dock workers’ charter of demands, an increase in the dock labor board tax, inclusion of young workers in the seniority list under existing agreements and strict implementation of agreements between the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) and management in accordance with labor laws.
They concluded by urging the government to withdraw any proposed decision to abolish the Karachi Dock Labor Board, warning that failure to do so would intensify the protest movement.
