More than 100,000 textile and garment workers went on strike in July in Faisalabad to secure a 17% pay increase that had been passed by the government but which employers refused to pay. In November, the Anti Terrorism Court sentenced six trade union leaders involved in the strike to a total of 490 years in jail on what the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) has described as falsified charges. The six are leaders of the Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) in Faisalabad.
The ITGLWF strongly condemned the brutal campaign waged by employers on workers and unions in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Workers were attacked by armed men employed by factory owners. Some have been shot while others have been badly beaten. Textile factory owners and henchmen resorted to violence by throwing stones and bricks on a peaceful march of workers, while police used tear gas. Twenty-five workers were injured including Mr. Tahir Rana, the president of LQM Faisalabad district, who was critically injured. Around 100 workers were also arrested.