Affectees of Baldia factory fire staged a protest demonstration against undemocratic attitude of International Labour Organisation (ILO) in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) here Sunday.
The demo was organised by National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Association of the Affectees of Baldia FactoryFire and PILER.
It was led by the association leaders Muhammad Siddique and Husna Khatoon.
A large number the heirsof the martyred labours, injured workers, representatives of political, social and human rights organisations and tradeunions members including Nasir Mansoor of including National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Karamat Ali ofNational Labor Council (NLC), Gul Rehman of Workers Rights Movement, Khizer Qazi of Human Rights Commissionof Pakistan (HRCP), Muhammad Siddique, Hasna Khatoon and Muhammad Jameel of Ali Enterprise Factory FireAffecttees Association,) attended the demo.
Speakers said that in 2016 a pact was inked between the German brand KIK, IndustriaAll Global Union and Clean ClothCampaign (CCC) under which the German brand handed 5.
1 million dollars to the ILO for long-term compensation forthe heirs and injured.
Under this agreement, an oversight committee was formed for investment in Pakistan, payment to affectees in installmentsand other related matters with representation of related labour organisations, heirs, employers, labour department and theILO.
They said that In this agreement it was decided that this money would be invested in Pakistan so that lifetime payment to the affecteescould be made possible and till the funds are invested with mutual agreement, an agreed amount would be paid to theaffectees on monthly basis.
In this regard a memorandum of understanding was signed between the ILO and government of Sindh through whichmonthly payment to the affectees was carried out through Sindh Employees Social Security Institute (SESSI).
They alleged that ILO, however, violating the agreement and without consulting the stakeholders inked an agreement to an insurancecompany and handed over all the funds to it.
The affectees were not taken into confidence before or after thisdevelopment.
Despite the demands of affectees and labour organisations the agreement with the insurance firm is notbeing share with them.
This attitude of the ILO in against the principle of transparency and tantamount to disrespect tothe affectees.
They said that on the other hand, the Sindh labour department in connivance with the ILO announced to disband the OversightCommittee (OSC) without any consideration or prior information.
This undemocratic attitude of the ILO and unilateraldecision of the labour department has created uncertainty for the affectees of Baldia factory fire.
Refusal to share the agreement of ILO with the insurance company and announcement of the labour department to end theOSC has not only made this affair dubious but also created a lot of bitterness for 260 affected families.
The ILO and thelabour department are not willing to answer to the reservations of the affectees.
This attitude of the ILO and governmentbureaucracy is against the principles of transparency and accountability, which in condemnable.
The affectees of the Baldia factory fire have demanded to make public the secret agreement between the ILO and theinsurance company and immediately restore the oversight committee.
The affectees have been continuing their struggle and they have consulted noted legal experts in this regard and theywould initiate litigation next month.
In continuation of their protest, they would hold demonstrations in front of SindhAssembly and ILO office in Karachi.
