Awkward silence on labor rights

The story of Veero Kolhi would make the optimists believe that times are changing and all hope is not yet lost. Belonging to the poorest segment of society, Kolhi has decided to take part in Pakistan’s May elections in a bid to reshape the destiny of the country’s several million poor. After escaping modern-day slavery conditions enforced by a feudal-style landowner, she decided to join the campaign trail and at least symbolically protest the appalling state of labor rights in Pakistan.
Speaking to Reuters, she said that the landlords are sucking our blood. Their managers behave like pimps — they take our daughters and give them to the landlords.” Her story is all too familiar in the country’s rural areas, where the poor often find themselves in bonded labor and toil away for generations on the lands of strong feudals to repay family debts. As these powerful industrialists and landlords enjoy access to the corridors of power, it is not surprising that little has been done to uplift the socio-economic conditions of laborers and poor as they battle for survival in tough economic times.
While Veero Kolhi may be an inspiring figure, major political parties have once again disappointed by not prioritizing labor and land reforms in their election 2013 manifestoes. Their election manifestos make the promise of raising wages, expanding social security and promoting privatization of sick government-owned units to create employment. However, these commitments only reveal the shallow understanding parties in dealing with tricky socio-economic problems as no clear action plans have been spelled out to achieve these goals. With party tickets to contest the polls costing a fortune, the poor workers and peasants have been sidelined and denied the chance of raising their voice on these pertinent matters. Only 28 of the candidates in upcoming elections have declared themselves to be belonging to the working class.
The situation represents an inherent problem with Pakistan’s political setup. Major political parties lack the willingness to take bold decisions to overcome the status quo and redistribute resources in the society. Due to sluggish economic growth, Pakistan has struggled to create employment opportunities for the educated youth. Failure of the political parties to deliver has forced the educated class to seek a better future in other countries, which has further compromised the long-term growth of Pakistan’s economy. At the same time, the employed workers have found themselves to be in a weak bargaining position and exploited by employers. During the past few years, a contract labor system has been introduced to outsource jobs. It is estimated that less than 3 percent of Pakistan’s total workforce is unionized due to which worker rights have been further suppressed.
There is an urgent need to revive land reforms in Pakistan as about 93 percent of farmers own less than four hectares of land. These farmers are able to earn about half of the minimum wage set by the government, which is inadequate to provide food, shelter and basic necessities of life. These farmers work under an informal arrangement and account for about 45 percent of the country’s labor force.
Therefore, there is no government program to protect them under labor laws and guarantee right to assets. Rights of these farmers have only eroded in recent years as controversial amendments in the Sindh Tenancy Act of 1950 has granted legal status to free labor.
The power aspirants in Pakistan’s political system must take active measures to uphold labor rights and promote the revival of economy based on inclusiveness and participation. They must develop effective programs to tackle rampant unemployment and reduce inequality in society through land distribution.