On 8 September 2021, police attacked workers holding a peaceful demonstration in Faisalabad, injuring dozens and arresting 37 people. Ibrahim Fibres had fired over 2,000 workers in April, on the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic. The laid-off workers had been peacefully protesting for the past two months to demand reinstatement. On the day of the attack, they had gathered with their families, including children, outside the factory gates to continue their protest.
Leaders of Haqooq-e-Khalq Movement (HKM), Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM), Progressive Labour Federation (PLF), Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) and Railway Mazdoor Ittehad (RMI) held a press conference after the incident to demand the release of the 37 arrested workers. It was later reported that some of the workers received further ill treatment in jail.
Ammar Ali Jan from the HKM told the press that “the attack on workers is an attempt to send a message to all workers contemplating agitation for their just rights”.
