Baldia factory fire affectees protest ILO's undemocratic attitude.

KARACHI -- Affectees of Baldia factory fire staged a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) here on Sunday against undemocratic attitude of International Labour Organisation (ILO). The demo was organised by National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Association of the Affectees of Baldia Factory Fire and PILER. It was led by the association leaders Muhammad Siddique and HusnaKhatoon.

A large number the heirs of the martyred labours, injured workers, representatives of political, social and human rights organisations and trade unions members including Nasir Mansoor of including National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Karamat Ali of National Labor Council (NLC), Gul Rehman of Workers Rights Movement, KhizerQazi of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Muhammad Siddique, HasnaKhatoon and Muhammad Jameel of Ali Enterprise Factory Fire Affecttees Association,)attended the demo.

Speakers said that in 2016 a pact was inked between the German brand KIK, IndustriaAll Global Union and Clean Cloth Campaign (CCC) under which the German brand handed 5.1 million dollars to the ILO for long-term compensation for the heirs and injured.

Under this agreement, an oversight committee was formed for investment in Pakistan, payment to affectees in installments and other related matters with representation of related labour organisations, heirs, employers, labour department and the ILO. In this agreement it was decided that this money would be invested in Pakistan so that lifetime payment to the affectees could be made possible and till the funds are invested with mutual agreement, an agreed amount would be paid to the affectees on monthly basis.

In this regard a memorandum of understanding was signed between the ILO and government of Sindh through which monthly payment to the affectees was carried out through Sindh Employees Social Security Institute (SESSI).

ILO; however, violating the agreement and without consulting the...