Pakistán - Ship breakers organise yellow union (2010)

In February, at the Gadani ship breaking yard, workers went on strike over appalling conditions including low pay and most importantly the almost complete lack of safety protections. Between February and April, four men died working and many workers die each year from fires, explosions, falls and exposure to toxic chemicals. The six-day February strike resulted in an agreement between the Pakistan Ship-breakers Association Gadani and Ship-breaking Labour Union Gadani, in which the ship breakers promised to provide safety gear, emergency transport and increased regular wage payments, although this has not been implemented. At least one worker was later banned by the local administration for his participation in the strike while workers have been complaining of a «pocket» (yellow) union organised by the companies.