Karachi: Representatives from the Sindh Agricultural General Workers Union convened for a two-day meeting in Karachi, highlighting the severe political, economic, and environmental crises faced by peasants in the region. Chaired by Subhagi Bheel, the meeting drew attention to the enduring struggles of agricultural workers and discussed measures to address their plight.

According to the Home-Based Women Workers Federation, the meeting featured remarks from Nasir Mansoor, General Secretary of the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF), who criticized the existing feudal system and political structures that have left peasants in dire conditions. He accused political entities, the judiciary, and other state bodies of being under the sway of feudal landlords, thereby neglecting the welfare of the working class.

Comrade Lal Bakhsh Lalan, General Secretary of the Sindh Agricultural General Workers Union, emphasized that despite legal recognition of peasants as workers since 2014, many remain deprived of rights under labor laws. He also noted the lack of implementation of legal rights for women peasants established in 2019.

Inayat Laghari, Vice President of the union, highlighted the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, citing the severe impact on crop production and the destruction caused by the 2022 floods. The union's involvement in climate litigation in Germany was presented as a step towards holding polluters accountable.

Ms. Fatima Laghari announced a campaign to enroll ten thousand peasants as union members, focusing on women's participation. Comrade Moti Bheel criticized the unfair distribution of the "Hari Card" and the ongoing practice of charging peasants for seeds despite government provisions for landlords.

Social activist Haris Gazdar discussed the importance of ensuring that new laws enhance worker benefits and the need for effective registration processes to help peasants access their rights.

The meeting concluded with plans for future conferences on peasant issues and climate change impacts, and demands for government action including registration of peasants under social security schemes, extension of labor law rights to agricultural workers, and provision of immediate assistance to climate change victims.