MQM IS A PARTY OF THE POOR, BY THE POOR AND FOR THE POOR -- ALTAF HUSSAIN

THE ENTIRE LABOURS OF THE COUNTRY SHOULD GET UNITED TO OBTAIN THEIR RIGHTS

London -- 28 January 2001


Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), has appealed to all the labours of the country to get united for the attainment of their rights. While narrating in detail the exploitation of labours, he strongly condemned the act of oppressive dismissal of employees and warned that if the laying off of workers under the guise of downsizing, rightsizing and privatisation from the government, semi-government and autonomous institutions is not stopped immediately then the entire labour of the country would unite and struggle to obtain their legitimate and fundamental rights. Mr Hussain was addressing a Labour Convention organised by the MQM Labour Division at the Khursheed Begum Hall in Azizabad, Karachi, Pakistan on Saturday 27 January 2001. A large number of representatives and leaders of the trade unions, labour unions and other unions of the country attended the Convention.

Emphasising upon the importance of unity Mr Hussain said that if the labour class of the country gets united then the exploitative forces could never usurp their rights. The rights are only usurped when the deprived community splits and becomes the victim of egotism, thus benefiting the exploitative forces. Mr Hussain appealed to all the representatives of the labour organisations that they may have their own ideologies and methods but save themselves from being divided into different segments on the basis of political affiliation. He said that if the workforce of the country gets united on minimum points and formulate a line of action against their economic exploitation then the MQM would not hesitate to offer any sacrifice.


Mr Hussain said that for the past 53 years we celebrate the May Day to remember the labours demonstration in Chicago, however, our labour class has yet to perform such a memorable feat. To attain their rights the labours in Pakistan should also struggle and offer sacrifices so that the Pakistani labours would also be remembered in the history.


Mr Hussain said that the "troika" of the ruling elite, the feudals and the Generals is ruling the country and its citizens. In Pakistan, practically there are two systems -- one for the master and the other for the slave. Even the law for the ruling elite is different from the law for the ninety-eight percent downtrodden and poor masses of the country resulting in the imbalance status of the society. He said that other politicians of the country feel ashamed to expose the real cause of this disease. It is necessary to diagnose the disease before curing it.

Mr Hussain said that he would not have been living in exile if he had traded his conscience and looted the national exchequer with both hands. On the one hand the feudal mafia, General mafia and the ruling elite belonging to different nationalities are related to each other, whereas on the other hand they have been conspiringly confronting the poor Punjabis, Sindhis, Seraikis, Baloch and Pakhtoons against each other on the basis of ethnicities. Mr Hussain reassured that we are not against capitalism or privatisation and we are in favour of free market economy. However, because of the prevailing feudal system in the country, our industrialists adopt this feudal mentality. Till such time the feudal system would remain imposed upon the people of Pakistan, it is not possible to obtain the rights of the labour class. A country without justice could not sustain and falls to pieces, whereas universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice.


Mr Hussain emphasised that the MQM is a party of the poor, by the poor and for the poor. He offered is unconditional services in the peaceful struggle for the rights of the labours and assured their representatives that if the labours unite for their rights then the MQM would not stay behind and would be alongside them. He said that he has no desire of becoming the president or the prime minister of the country; however, he wishes to see the labours and deprived attaining their rights.


Commenting on the publication of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report, Mr Hussain said that utter lack of remorse is being displayed after its publication. The plunderers of the country and those responsible for its disintegration are roaming scot-free. He claimed that God forbid, if he had been involved in the Fall of Dhaka then he would not have shown his face to his family, instead he would have shot himself. He emphasised that we are not against the institution of army, however, the character of the corrupt army generals is horrific. He demanded that if a Commission of judges of the United Nations is constituted to investigate from the murder of Liaquat Ali Khan to the plundering and looting of national wealth thus far then not only the living army generals but also those who have died would be hanged on the streets.


Mr Hussain stressed upon the labour leaders to get united and organise in the larger interest of the workforce of the country to struggle for their rights. He said that despondency is profane; therefore, the labours must not get despondent and learn lesson from their mistakes and weaknesses.


Disclosing that the Government is planning to announce a new anti-labour policy, Mr Hussain asserted that we would never accept any such anti-labour policy, which has been designed against the interest of the labour class.

At the end of Mr Hussain's address the leaders and representatives of the labour and trade unions and others spoke with Mr Hussain and conveyed to him in detail their grievances and problems. They lauded the efforts of the MQM Labour Division for organising such a memorable and massive Labour Convention where representatives and leaders of nearly all the labour and trade unions of the country were present. Mr Hussain assured them of his full unconditional cooperation and assistance.