Pakistan’s sugar mill workers founded the first united sugar mill union in May. A convention brought together over 100 delegates to form the Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers’ Federation.
Organising in the industry is difficult. Pakistan’s government is liberalising its economy through reductions in tariffs and other protective measures and the sugar industry will face both foreign investment and competition from imported sugar. The government is also introducing more anti-union laws.
By creating a united industrial union, the organisers believe they can better challenge the sugar mill employers and the government. The convention called for solidarity with unemployed sugar mill workers and demanded that workers in agriculture and fisheries be allowed to form unions (currently denied in Pakistan). The convention sent a message of support to workers at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, who continue to be punished due to trade union activities.