Victory for 12 workers and trade unionists in Pakistan
Twelve garment workers and trade union activists of the Power Loom Mazdoor Union in Pakistan were finally acquitted on August 29, 2014 after a trial that had dragged on for more than two years.
In 2012, the twelve workers were accused of extortion and terrorism under the Pakistani Anti-Terrorist Act for engaging in union activities. Six of them were arrested and severely tortured at a local police station in Karachi. They were later released on bail. All 12 of them then faced long trial with more than 100 hearings. The acquittal is now hoped to set a precedent for other cases and promote the respect for human and labor rights in Pakistan.
Clean Clothes Campaign supported the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) of Pakistan on this case and brought the workers’ struggles and the trial to the attention of European Union Delegation to Pakistan.