Tag: (HBWWF)

Karachi, February 26, 2023 (PPI-OT):A public rally against price hike here on Saturday demanded of the government to take drastic measures to break out of the deadly debt trap of international lenders and salvage the sinking economy. As per details, National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) Pakistan, Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) Pakistan and youth organization Alternate arranged a joint Awami rally against the price hike that marched from the Fuwara Chowk to the Karachi Press Club (KPC). It was led by Riaz Abbasi of NTUF, Comrade Zehra Khan of HBWWF and Aqib Hussain of Alternate.

A large number of workers, youths, women and representatives of political and human rights organisations attended the rally, carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands. They raised slogans against the slavery of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Among those who addressed the rally were including Nasir Mansoor of National Trade Union Federation, Karamat Ali of National Labour Council, Asad Butt of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Saeed Baloch of Fisher Fork Forum, Manzoor Razi of Railway Workers Union, Faheem of Karachi Union of Journalists, Wahid Baloch Siddiqui, writer and intellectual Comrade Wahid Baloch, Sajjad Zaheer of Anjuman-e-Taraki Pasand Musannafeen, Aneesa Yusuf, Parveen Bano, Nazra Bano of Home Based Women Workers Federation, Zahida Parveen of United HB workers Union, Iqbal and Barkat Ali of Alternative and others.

Addressing the rally, speakers said the ruling classes instead of cut in their own perks have opted for an economic terrorism against the masses in the name of mini-budget. They said all ruling parties and the parties that have adopted a mum over tormenting poor masses are partners in these anti-people crimes. They said it is the need of hour that the poor masses should distance themselves from these political parties and organise themselves on new political lines to cope with the situation.

They should promote their own political leadership to steer the country out of economic crisis. To break free of the slavery of the IMF, all absent landlord holdings should be abolished and this land should be distributed amongst the landless peasants free of cost. They demanded fifty percent cut in defence and administrative expenses. All edibles should be provided to citizens at reduced rates. All citizens should be given social security cover and old age pension. Bilateral relations and trade ties should be promoted with the neighbouring countries.

They said the 75 years history of Pakistan shows that the vested interests of the ruling elite have made the masses slaves of the powerful lending institutions and capitalist countries. International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other international lending entities are playing the role of a new East India Company to maintain the killer grip of the capitalist countries over hapless Pakistanis. The local rulers have been playing the role of their agents and hatching conspiracies against their own people.

They said the ruling elite comprising feudal lords, capitalists, military generals, judges and bureaucracy are sucking the blood of poor masses. They said as per the annual report of the UNDP every year 17 billion dollars’ subsidies are being given to the Pakistani elite from the annual budget, while Rs1.5 trillion are earmarked for the defence expenses and more than Rs1 trillion for luxuries of ministers, officers and their families in the name of administrative expenses. They said if the non-development expenses of defence and federal administration are slashed it would greatly help in freeing the poor masses from the clutches of poverty and hunger.

They said that the current economic crisis in Pakistan is the direct result of government corruption and anti-people policies that have resulted in about 60 percent cut in the real income of the masses during last five years. The rates of medicines have been increased by 300 percent, petroleum products by 100 percent and edibles especially wheat flour 200 percent. The bills of electricity and gas have gone beyond the reach of the masses. Rising rates of education, healthcare and public transport have broken the back of the poor people. They said the present mini-budget have virtually buried the poor masses alive. People are facing immense problems in getting two square meals, while the ministers and advisors are getting more and more benefits.

The speakers said that the ruling classes are the least concerned about the plights of the poor Pakistanis. As the masses are politically disorganised they are being burdened with more inflation and price hike. Rise in general sales tax, tariffs of electricity and gas and ending subsidies on daily use items have opened the floodgates of inflation and price hike. During the last four years, additional two Crore people have already been pushed down the poverty line, while due to the anti-people economic policies it is feared that two Crore more people would go beneath the poverty line. Due to the wrong economic policies not only the agricultural sector has been destroyed but the wheel of industry has also been slowed down, creating massive joblessness. As per an estimate due to the current economic crisis more than one million workers would be rendered jobless.

The protest rally demanded that the recent anti-people mini-budget should be withdrawn. Fifty percent cut should be made in the defence and administrative expenses. All perks including plots should be withdrawn from military and civil officers, judges and ministers. Government lands should be distributed amongst the landless Haris. Direct taxes should be slapped on the rich classes. Subsidies should be given on edibles and basic needs of life. Minimum wage should be fixed at Rs50000 per month. Social security and old age pension should be given to all citizens.

Friendly and bilateral relations should be established to all neighbours. The culprits of Baloch women’s murder should be taken to the task. All missing person including the Baloch women should be recovered and the criminals involved in these crimes should be jailed. The rally announced that the day of March 8, International Women’s Day, this year would be observed as the day against the salaried slavery and gender-based discrimination.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/

Karachi, January 29, 2023 (PPI-OT):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 Factory Fire and PILER.

It was led by the association leaders Muhammad Siddique and Husna Khatoon. 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 Labour Council (NLC), Gul Rehman of Workers Rights Movement, Qazi Khizer of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Muhammad Siddique, Hasna Khatoon 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 stakeholders inked an agreement to an insurance company and handed over all the funds to it. The affectees were not taken into confidence before or after this development. Despite the demands of affectees and labour organisations the agreement with the insurance firm is not being share with them. This attitude of the ILO in against the principle of transparency and tantamount to disrespect to the affectees.

On the other hand, the Sindh labour department in connivance with the ILO announced to disband the Oversight Committee (OSC) without any consideration or prior information. This undemocratic attitude of the ILO and unilateral decision 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 the OSC has not only made this affair dubious but also created a lot of bitterness for 260 affected families. The ILO and the labour department are not willing to answer to the reservations of the affectees. This attitude of the ILO and government bureaucracy 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 the insurance 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 they would initiate litigation next month. In continuation of their protest, they would hold demonstrations in front of Sindh Assembly and ILO office in Karachi.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/

Karachi, January 28, 2023 (PPI-OT):A representative organisation of youth here Saturday staged a protest against release of the killers of Naqeebullah Mehsood and expressed their dismay over the failure of policing system, particularly in the megacity of Karachi. The protest demo was staged by the youths organisation, Alternate, in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC), led by Alternate leaders Aqib Hussain and Shahzad Mughal. A large number of youths, political and social and journalist organisations attended the demo.

Addressing the demo Aqib Hussain of Alternate said the release of the killers of Naqeebullah Mehsood proves that Pakistan has completely become a police state. The law enforcement agencies, especially the police, instead of providing security to the citizens, kidnap them in extra judicial fashion, extort bribery from them and even kill them.

He said five years ago, plainclothes on the orders of Rao Anwar kidnapped Naqeebullah Mehsood along with his two friends and tortured them in a police station and threatened them of life in case of non-payment of extortion money. In the police torture, Naqeebullah Mehsood was killed and his body was dumped near a farm house near Usman Khaskheli village of Karachi, issuing a statement that he belonged to terrorist outfits of Taliban and Lashkar Janghvi. However, in 2019, the court declared Naqeebullah Mehsood an innocent citizen.

Alternate Group leader Shahzad Mughal said that Naqeebullah Mehsood along with his family migrated to Karachi from Waziristan due to operation of law enforcers in Waziristan and due to fear of agencies. He didn’t belong to any political party. Like other youth he would express his feeling in different ways on social media. He said the police in order to save the cops involved in his murder misguided courts. He said this act also compelled the society to think that police and police stations have become dens of crime and killing fields of innocent citizens.

He said the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsood has proved that law and justice in our society is a toy in the hands of powerful mafias that ensure that their criminals are not punished by the courts. He said all these powerful quarters stand behind the notorious anti-human rights police officer like Rao Anwar and are bent to prove his innocent. He said sadly all political parties that chant the slogan of democracy have adopted a mum on the recent verdict of court in Naqeebullah Mehsood case that shows the police officers involved in extra judicial killings of citizens have got the backing of the powerful quarters.

He said former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had promised with the father of Naqeebullah Mehsood that he would be doled out justice, but the justice bowed down in front of Rao Anwar. He said the blood of Naqeebullah Mehsood would not go waste and his killers would ultimately would be taken to the task as per law and justice.

On the occasion, Alternate paid rich tributes to the legal teams that fought the case of Naqeebullah Mehsood. They said that they would stage organised protests against lawlessness and police excesses.

Alternate Group leaders Iqbal Abro, Shaima, Sajid Afridi, Ainee, Faiza, Himay Ali and Barkat, National Trade Union Federation general secretary Nasir Mansoor, Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) secretary general Zahra Khan, Saira Feroze, Lyari Awami Mehaz secretary general Abdul Khaliq Zarqan, Rehman Baloch civil society leader, Asghar Dashti, dean of IR department Federal Urdu University, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan vice chairman Qazi Khizr, notes journalist Mehnaz Rehman, veteran labour leader Karamat Ali, Faheem Siddiqui of Karachi Union of Journalists, Comrade Sajad Zaheer of Anjumam Taraqi Pasand Musanfeen, central coordinator of PTM Hidayatullah Mehsood and other social and political leaders spoke on the occasion.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/

Karachi, January 11, 2023 (PPI-OT):Heirs of Ali Enterprises Baldia factory fire and representatives of labour organisations here Wednesday expresses serious concerns about pact of International Labour Organisation (ILO) with an insurance company regarding compensation money given by a German brand for the heirs, rejecting it by terming it non transparent.

Addressing a joint press conference, the leaders of the Association of Affectees of Baldia factory fire, National Trade Union Federation Pakistan, PILER, Home Based Women Workers Federation, Joint Action Committee, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and SITE Labour Forum including Muhammad Siddique, Hussina Khan, Nasir Mansoor, Karamat Ali, Asad Iqbal Butt, Zehra Khan, Mahnaz Rahman and Riaz Abbasi said that the ILO took a unilateral decision without taking the real party of Baldia factory fire in confidence. They said that the interests of labours would be safeguarded at all costs.

They said that the general body meeting of Association of the Affectees of Baldia factory fire was held in Karachi on Sunday in which important decisions were taken. It paid rich tributes to Association leader Saeeda Khatoon who died battling cancer. Her struggle was lauded greatly.

They said that the heirs of 260 martyrs of Baldia factory fire and dozens of the injured and their supporter local and international labour organisations after a great struggle inked a deal with German brand KIK that agreed to pay a long term compensation of $5.1million. The representative of KIK and signed the deal in 2016, with workers organisations under ILO, IndustiAll Global and Clean Cloth Campaign and the funds were given to ILO Geneva office.

They said that under this deal an oversight committee was formed at Pakistan level to distribute these funds and take care of the related issues with representation of the government, labour organisations, heirs and factory owners. The heirs demanded that as per the deal the compensation funds should be brought to Pakistan and invested with mutual consultation to ensure lifelong assistance of the heirs and affectees. In this regard the association of the heirs and labourer organisations in consultation with noted Pakistani lawyers shared an investment plan with the ILO, but the ILO didn’t respond.

They said that sadly the ILO while violating the deal and despite repeated demands of the heirs kept the compensation funds for last five years and distributed monthly compensation amongst the heirs through SESSI. Hence, a big chuck of these funds was spent and the heirs and stakeholders were not informed about it. They said that the ILO is responsible for all this.

The speakers said that the ILO didn’t play any role in helping the affectees. It ignored the demands of the heirs and stakeholder labour organisations and took unilateral and non-transparent decisions and implemented them.

They said that the ILO convened a meeting on December 15 when a member of the oversight committee and patron of the association of the affected workers was hospitalised for treatment of cancer, another member Nasir Mansoor was abroad and the third member Karamat Ali was ill. They were requested to postpone the meeting but in vain. In this meeting the ILO ratified a contract with an insurance company, which had already been signed before the meeting without consultation with the stakeholders who were not told about this contract.

The ILO had no right to sign a deal about the funds of the heirs without consultation with them in this non transparent manner. After this non transparent deal some officials of the ILO Karachi office with help of a SESSI employee are harassing the heirs and forcing then sign some documents written in English language. This act has created unrest among the heirs of the martyred workers.

They said that after the international agreement between the German brand and labour organisations, the Sindh government and the Labour Department are the essential parties of the contract and through them the payment of monthly compensation through SESSI was started. However, the labour department failed to play its due role and didn’t take all the members of the oversight committee in confidence.

They said that the contract with the insurance company before the meeting of the oversight committee and without any consultation is the worst example of non-transparency and an attack on the basic and democratic right of the heirs.

They demanded to the ILO should invest the compensation funds after the consultation with the heirs and stakeholder labour organisations.

They asked to summon a meeting of the oversight committee and all documents including that of the deal with the insurance company should be shared with its members.

They demanded that the ILO Karachi office should stop harassing the heirs, otherwise, a protest would be held outside the office.

They asked the SESSI commissioner to start probe against their employ Maroof for forcing the heirs to sign some unknown papers. They asked to hold responsible those officers who caused decrease in the original compensation funds.

They demanded the Compensation Commissioner to decide the gratuity cases of the deceased workers of the West. They asked to ensure EOBI pension to the parents of the martyred workers in the light of the decision of Sindh High Court. They asked to stop the selling of the affected factory and instead erect a symbol there in the memory of the martyred workers.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/

Karachi, November 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) has organized Women Workers Convention in which HBWWF has demanded for the anti-harassment committees’ formulation at all the workplaces to stop violence against women at work.

In the Women Workers Convention, Zehra Khan of HBWWF said that the UN General Assembly proclaimed this day as the International Day against Violence against Women in 1999. This day is commemorated in honour of the three revolutionary sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Tresa, who fought against the notoriously Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo (1930-61). The Mirabal Sisters and their husbands were imprisoned and tortured, but they refused to give in and devoted their lives in order to secure their country’s freedom and democratic order. These three sisters were revered as the Unforgettable Butterflies and later honoured as the women’s rights icons.

She continued by saying that the persistent violence against women has a significant impact on the lives of working women everywhere. In Pakistan especially, violence against women is a violation of their human rights and a barrier to gender equality. A major concern for trade unions was workplace violence against women, which had an impact on employees’ rights, safety, health, and dignity. In order to avoid all forms of violence against women, unions should priorities addressing these issues both inside and outside of the union.

She also said that the anti-harassment law passed in 2010 in Pakistan, must be properly implemented in order to stop the impunity of those who commit acts of violence. Trade unions must also provide safe venues for women to report harassment situations and remove any barriers to their speaking out, such as shame or fear.

On the occasion Christina Oliver, Assistance General Secretary of Industrial Global Union sent her message that “As we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, IndustriALL Global Union joins hands with our Sisters and Brothers in remembering the Butterfly sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal, who were brutally killed on this day in 1960 by the brutal dictatorial regime of Leonidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Their bravery to fight a corrupt and violent dictator will never be forgotten, nor will their deaths be in vain. Their Revolutionary Spirits will live on forever in our hearts and minds.”

Nasir Mansoor of National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) said that given the impunity, silence, stigma, and shame that surround it, violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most pervasive, ongoing, and terrible human rights violations in our time. She added that a global movement for the prevention and reaction of violence against women and girls was ignited by the #MeToo movement five years ago. In this backdrop, ILO Convention 190 (ILO C190) and Recommendation 206’s adoption in 2019 has created an incredible momentum for the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence in the workplace.

Saeed Baloch of Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum said that the trade unions are fighting for the ratification and application of the Convention in several countries in collaboration with feminist and other human rights organisations. He added that ILO C190 has been ratified by 22 nations, 13 of which have done so recently. Ratification of C 190 is increasing fast and it also assuming that the more 50 countries will have ratified this agreement by 2030.

Saira Feroz of United HB Workers Union said that the HBWWF actively took part in the campaigns and movements that resulted in this ratification in Pakistan. Parallel to this, the HBWWF has been organizing campaigns, engaging in collective bargaining, creating awareness, and educating the public on the need to adopt these tools in the workplace.

The speakers at the event called an end to all laws that discriminate against women. They demanded an end to workplace harassment of women and the formation of anti-harassment committees in every business. They also demanded an end to wage disparities based on gender, Pakistani government should ratify ILO Convention 190, encourage employers to create policies to end all forms of violence against women in their workplaces and throughout their entire supply chains, and set up mechanisms for women employees to file complaints and have those complaints resolved. Other who spoken on the occasion were Parveen Bano of HBWs, Abdul Hai Baloch of HRCP, Shakeela Asghar, factory worker and Aqib Hussain of Alternative.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/

Karachi, November 14, 2022 (PPI-OT):Speakers of a conference here Monday said that international capitalism is responsible for huge destruction due to climate change and environmental degradation. The climate conference titled “Global capitalism: responsible for environmental disasters’ was organised at the Arts Council of Pakistan by National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and Home-bases Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan, presided over by HBWWF general secretary Zehra Khan. Noted local and international environmental experts, lawyers, social and political leaders spoke the moot. People directly affected due to recent floods and climate changes also participated in the conference and briefed the audience and there problems, as well as, the current situation in the flood affected areas.

Faisal Edhi of Edhi Foundation in his address said that the recent floods were the worst in the history of Pakistan, directly affecting 3.5 Crore people and indirectly affecting millions others. He said the government of Pakistan and global community has failed not only to correctly assess the losses but also in timely assistance of the affected people. He said the government and global community have left the millions of the affectees, especially women and children, neglected and ignored. Millions of people are deprived of the basic needs of food, water and medicines. He said the winter season is coming and it would create another human tragedy.

Dr Miriam Sagg, legal director European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), Germany said that the climate crises have been caused by multiple actors. We will see that the polluter-pays-principle should apply when dealing with the climate devastation.

NTUF general secretary Nasir Mansoor said that the model capital mode of progress has created a big threat for the survival of life on the earth. He said capitalist economy is another name of environmental terrorism. He said for last one hundred and fifty years, the capitalist countries with unbridled use of fossil fuels have threatened the life on the planet earth. He said due to energy obtained from gas, oil and coal, very high carbon emissions have raised global temperature alarming, hardly hitting the natural environment.

He said floods, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, melting of glaciers, rise in sea level, pandemics and heat waves are the results of these climate changes affecting billions of people. The capitalist system has made the people salaried slaves. It has occupied the resources of nations, pushed the people to dreadful wars and now it is bent to destroy the earth altogether. He said the first and last way to save environment is to get rid of the capitalism.

Dr Nauman Ahmed (Dean of facility of Architecture and management sciences, NED University) said that environment, climate change and progress are interrelated. He said economic progress is aimed at to make more capital, more investment and further spur consumerism. He said the West attained a big achievement in production and progress but without any check and balance. He said later it was felt that this cruel use of resources would be harmful for life on the earth and there should be some checks on it.

He said due to climate change food crisis, poverty and inequality of wealth are further rising in Pakistan. He said urbanisation is spreading fast and huge population in cities live in slums. He said forest cover is shrinking fast and further damaging environment and ecology. He suggested to link progress to sustainable environment and benefit of communities.

Dr Riaz Ahmed (Head of Social Sciences at SZABIST) said the Pakistani state has failed to serve its citizens. He said situation was not better in the past, its worse now and there is no hope of betterment in future as the state does not care about ordinary citizens. He said we should have to fight ourselves for our rights as the state and government would never give us our due rights.

Dr Asghar Dashti (Chairmen IR Department FUUAST) said the earth system is changing fast and it has created immense challenges for the survival of mankind. He said the vested interests of capitalism are linked to climate change and this problem could not be resolved in isolation. He said capitalist experts, scientist and corporate media are befooling people. He said Khirthar and Hingol national parks are facing immense dangers due to land mafia. He stressed the need for a climate emergency and a global climate movement.

Comrade Zehra Khan, general secretary of Home-based Women Workers Federation Pakistan (HBWWF) said that the wrong policies of the countries of global north and international corporations have created a huge danger for the people of global south. She said these countries and transnational corporations and their greed for more and more profits are responsible for the environmental terrorism. She said to save the humanity both the global north and south should have to wage a collective struggle. She said her institution was consulting with affected people, political and social leaders and legal experts for initiating litigation in German courts against the states and organisations involved in climate crimes.

Thomas Rudhof-Seibert, a German political activist and philosopher, speaking online said you all know much better than I do the catastrophe which devastated Pakistan this year. We all know, that this catastrophe is a result of the so called “climate crisis”.

He said Pakistan is not responsible for that crisis. Also Somalia, suffering not a flood, but a drought, is not responsible for the climate crisis. Also all the countries of the Global South suffering under floods and droughts are not responsible for the climate crisis. But all of these countries are suffering not only under the climate crisis; they are also suffering under the global debt crisis.

He further said that what this double burden means. Responsible for the global climate- and the global debt-crisis are instead the countries of the global North, countries like Germany, like the USA, but also like China, he said, adding therefore, the Pakistani government should not asking for help. Pakistani government should demand both

For reparations for the damages under the climate crisis,

And for cancellation of debt.

Mehnaz Rehman (Women Rights Activist), Sabhagi Bheel (Sindh Agriculture General Workers Union), Amar Guriro (Journalist) and representatives of flood affectees Mujeeb Pirzado, Inayat Leghari, Mis Ruqaeya Nazar, Fozia Gulnawaz also spoke.

The conference demanded that food, drinking water and medicines should be provided to all affectees on emergency basis.

Before coming of the winter, temporary shelters should be provided to the affected people. Repair and reconstruction of their damaged houses should also be ensured.

Free of cost land should be distributed amongst the landless peasants. Every affected family should be given a compensation of Rs1million.

Payment of loans and interests to international lending institutions should be stopped and these funds should be utilized on rehabilitation of the affected people.

The de-watering process in the flooded areas should be accelerated. All loans of the affected people should be forgiven. Seed, fertilizer and agricultural machinery should be given free of cost to the affected farmers.

Industrial countries should immediately release the promised assistance of 100 billion dollars per annum to the countries hit be climate change.

All subsidies given to the fossil fuel sector should be withdrawn. Alternate renewable energy should be used instead of fossil fuels to check carbon emissions.

All encroachments upon natural waterways should be immediately removed.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/