Campaign updates
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| Protestors outside PIA offices in London |
On 24 May, ITF Civil Aviation Secretary Ingo Marowsky met with the Counsellor of the High Commission, and First Secretary of the Pakistan Embassy in London to outline the reasons for the boycott. Immediately after the meeting he was able to join supporters at a protest outside PIA’s London office.
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| SLNSS members distribute leaflets in Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
On 18 May members of the ITF affiliate Sri Lanka Nidahas Sewake Sangamaya (SLNSS) employed by the Sri Lanka Airlines distributed leaflets at the BIA International Airport in Colombo, in support of PIA workers.
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| TGWU members protest outside Pakistan's Consulate |
In Great Britain, on May 16, trade unionists protested outside Pakistan's Consulate. Mohammed Taj, a General Council member of the British TUC and the ITF affiliated Transport & General Workers’ Union (TGWU) - which represents PIA employees in the UK - commented: "With the help of the government PIA has been getting away with the suppression of workers’ rights for years. These practices have no place in a modern nation, a modern airline or a 21st century industry such as aviation."
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| Trade unionists in Nepal leaflet passengers | |
On 15 May 2006, Workers in Nepal supported their colleagues in Pakistan, leafleting passengers to encourage them not to fly PIA until the trade union rights questions are resolved. Members of the ITF-affiliated union Nepal Yatayat Mazdoor Sangh talked to airline clients and handed them information.
On launching the campaign, the ITF General Secretary wrote to Pakistan's Chief Executive and Chairman Pervez Musharraf announcing the action by aviation workers worldwide. "Since trade union rights in PIA were suspended in 2001, both trade unions worldwide and the International Labour Organisation have repeatedly urged your government ... to restore full trade union rights to the workers' concerned. Unfortunately, not only has your government failed to respond to these requests, but in addition, trade unionists have been victimised, " he said.
At the same time, the following activities are taking place in Pakistan; on Monday 15th May, 2006, leaflets were distributed and media were informed, on Tuesday 16th May, 2006 there was a Press Conference at Karachi Press Club. On Wednesday 17th and 18th May, 2006, TV interviews and demonstrations are planned, and on Monday 22nd May, 2006, a rally and demonstration will take place.
