ICM and Pakistan Wood and Building Workers Federation (PFBWW) submitted a joint complaint to the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) (in English) on 6 July. The complaint alleges a serious violation of the rights of 3,000 workers at the Karot Hydroelectric Project in Pakistan, which is funded by IFC.
The PFBWW, which has an affiliated union in the hydroelectric project, said the project is undermining the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. In particular, the complaint lists specific violations of IFC’s own performance standards (2 and 4) on workers’ organisations, health and safety, working conditions and employment conditions, grievance mechanisms, downsizing, and concerns related to the use of security forces.
The union also pointed to cases of union-busting, illegal firings, and underpayment of wages and benefits. There were also serious concerns about the health and safety of the workers.
The Karot Hydro Power project is building a 720 MW hydroelectric plant, which includes a 95.5-metre-high dam and a 27-kilometre-long reservoir on the Jhelum River. Karot is owned by China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (CSAIL), established by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC).
