Efforts by employers to force workers to accept short-term contracts led to industrial action at the Karachi Electric Supply Company during the first half of the year. Meanwhile, at least 35 contract workers demanding their rights at Nestlé’s dairy factory in Kabirwala lost their jobs and many were jailed on fabricated charges as management sought to criminalise the union’s struggle in support of permanent jobs for contract workers.
According to workers, the police investigation found the charges false and they were released on bail after two days in jail. On 27 July, the labour court directed management to reinstate all dismissed workers but management refused to accept the court order.