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How Trade Unions Can Support Self Employment of Rural Poor Women in Pakistan
Related to country: Pakistan

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Lahore, Pakistan -- A one-day seminar on the role of trade unions to help support rural women’s livelihood was held at the Ambassador Hotel Lahore on January 17, 2008. Organized by Pakistan Labour Federation (PLF) with the collaboration of the World Asian Workers Organization (WAWO), the seminar was attended by 70 women from trade unions from all over the country.

In her welcome speech Chairperson Atia Saleem noted that the government of Pakistan established the Ministry of Women Development to protect women’s rights and to stop the victimization of working women in public and private sectors.

She added that the main objectives of the PLF, which established a women’s wing, was to stabilize the institutional and legal protection of women and to create general awareness of such rights. Trade unions must ensure that women enjoy equal rights with men in terms of politics, economy, she emphasized.

PLF Voices speak out against poverty, discrimination against women

Prominent PLF ofiicers all voiced their concerns regarding the problems facing women and the enforcement of their rights, such as poverty unemployment and discrimination. Among those who reiterated the role of PLF in supporting such rights were Haji Muhammad Saeed, Founder and Secretary General and Waheed Ahmad, Advocate and Legal Advisor.

PLF Women’s Wing Secretary Shamila Sadiq, also said that PLF will continue its efforts to promote gender equality by its cooperation with the all NGOs. Rizwana Yasmeen Advocate Senior Vice President added that trade unions have a direct impact on improving the economy, alleviating poverty and improving the plight of women in rural areas.

(Haji Muhammad Saeed)
Secretary General
PAKISTAN LABOUR FEDERATION
OFF. 2/136- A AMAN PARK BAGHBANPURA LAHORE ,PAKISTAN
PH. # 92-42-6856984 FAX # 92-42-6844293
E.MAIL: plfpakistan@yahoo.com