The APTUF is a trade union center which exists in an organized from in all parts of Pakistan.

We the members of APTUF from Punjab, from SIND, from Baluchistan, from North West Frontiers Province

They may speak different languages, different culture and differences

But they all are members of the same trade union

They all share in common and same main demands

• - They want to keep their own job and not be unemployed
• - They want wages, which allow them to live and to raise their families which means a legal minimum wage of RS. 10,000
• - They want respect of their rights as worker which means first of all their right to organize in trade unions whatever their trade, the right to strike and to collective bargaining
• - They want the right to assemble, demonstrate and freely express their views
• - They want the abolition of anti-workers laws such as IRO- 2008, Essential Services Ordinance (Compulsory retirement)
• - They want safety of life

 Whatever province or region they come from, whatever the language, the religion or culture, they are all united in APTUF around those essential demands

 Are those demands not the demands of all the people of Pakistan, of the workers, the farmers the women, youth, the professionals?

 But what do we see happening today in our country?

All the people of Pakistan are faced with violence, disruption and war.

In year 2008, 57 blasts in which 843 civilians and army person have been killed and 309 injured in the country as a result of military operations and bomb blasts.

800000 people have been left their residence in NWFP province and 3,50,000 in Baluchistan, living in camps where they lack proper food, water and shelter, living in miserable condition.

 War against terror in Pakistan cost rises to RS. 678 billion

In fact, Pakistan is facing war conditions. In which officially, there is no war.  Pakistan is not at war with any other country.

 The war inside Pakistan and that violence threatens the country with dislocation

We, the APTUF meeting in this national congress of our union which is going to be held on December 30^th, 2008 in Lahore, we state solemnly:

 No Pakistani worker, peasant, youth, women can accept that state of affairs.

 All those who live and toil in Pakistan, whatever the problems they are facing, and whatever the differences, are able to solve them together and by themselves, in a peaceful way.

 It is not the people of Pakistan, of Punjab, of SIND, of Baluchistan and of the NWFP that want war.

 The violence is today rampant all over the country does have its roots in Pakistan.  It comes from outside.

 With great concern we take note of the fact that the war waged in Afghanistan by NATO forces under American command has now enter into Pakistan

 Daily, the integrity of the Pakistan territory is violated.

In the name of the never ending war against terrorism, Pakistan men, women, children are killed by NATO bombs and rockets.

The Pakistani people wants peace in Pakistan, they want peace on their borders.

The APTUF calls for an immediate end to all military operations in Pakistan.

We repeat, the people of all over Pakistan are able to peacefully overcome the problems they confront but a prerequisite is the end of all foreign intervention in the affairs of Pakistan, and of all military aggression.

Violence and war are spreading, the daily situation of the great majority of the people becomes intolerable:

 

• - Hundreds and hundreds of factories have closed down and tens of thousands of workers have their jobs.
• - Inflation is running at 300%. It becomes impossible for more and more families to buy the most basic goods.
• - Electricity is now shut down most of the days all over the country including the main towns
• - It is no longer safe to go work, to go for walk, to go the market
• - Instead of stepping up armament expenditures, and building up military operations, it is those problems that should be faced.

 

To overcome the problems, the people of Pakistan need peace

That is why the APTUF congress, convinced that it is acting as a responsible trade union for the good of its members, of the working class, launch this solemn appeal addressed to all:

 Peace in Pakistan! No foreign intervention!

The workers of Pakistan need and want peace

Peace needs the action of the working class.

  

Gulzar Chaudhary

General Secretary

All Pakistan Trade Union Federation

14-N, Industrial Area, Gulberg II, Lahore

Pakistan.

 Download WORD version here: all-pakistan-trade-union-federation-appeal