Asif was unfairly dismissed from his job for union activity. JAC condemns the multinational company’s illegal action of dismissing a trade union member for voicing workers’ concerns, and its continued refusal to accept the National Industrial Relations Commission’s (NIRC) verdict. We are seriously concerned by the circumstances that led Mr. Asif to resort to taking his life and demand detailed and in-depth enquiry into Nestle’s actions. Asif leaves behind wife and four kids who are suffering economically and socially and under deep trauma for more than 9 years.

This tragic incident highlights the tyranny of the judicial process that has forced a poor worker to take his life, denying him justice for a decade. Mr. Asif sought justice for Nestle’s abuses against workers and the community, and its blatant disregard for law when he and his fellow workers came together for their rights. The courts strung Mr. Asif along year after year, leaving him in a state of limbo and his family hungry, while fighting for justice. Mr. Asif’s self-immolation following another fruitless court hearing is a painful reflection of the emptiness of our judicial system, which doesn’t give justice, but denies dignity.

Late Asif Javed with his children

JAC demands full compensation from Nestle, Mohammad Asif’s employer, for his family. This includes complete educational fees for each of his children until the age of 18, and to pursue higher education in the field of their interest. We demand ample living stipends to Mr. Asif’s wife for the living expenses of herself, each of their children, and his parents and other dependents. Such compensation must include monthly payments into funds for each child’s eventual wedding. These payments cannot compensate for the loss of Mohammad Asif that Nestle bears responsibility for, yet is the least Nestle can do to begin to attain for their complicity in the violence they have meted out to Mr. Asif’s entire family and community. We further demand financial support from Social Security Government of Punjab for Asif’s family.

It is ironic fact that the multinational companies operating in Pakistan, earning billions of rupees and enjoying immunity in taxes and labor regulations, are following such oppressive labor practices. We also note similar conditions of workers in several other multinational companies, without any accountability and labor audits. These practices must end now and government shall compel these companies to adopt internationally recognized labor standards, provide required social protection to their workers and allow unions under well-established laws and NIRC’s standards. Asif’s case raises several key questions regarding anti-worker policies of industrial groups especially multinational companies and the lacunae in our judicial system. Further, comprehensive dialogue at the highest-level involving trade-union federations and government should take place to identify gaps and must result in reforms for better labor conditions and standards.

Issued on 03 March, 2025 in Lahore by:

Irfan Mufti
Convener, Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights (JAC)

Khawar Mumtaz
Women Action Forum - Lahore (WAF)

Mohammad Tahseen
Convener, Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF)

Shabnam Rashid
South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-PK)

Rubina Jamil
All Pakistan Trade-Union Federation

Farooq Tariq
General Secretary, Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC)

Syeda Diep
Director, Centre for Peace and Secular Studies (CPSS)

Ammar Jan
Haqooq-e-Khalq Party

Nighat Said Khan
Women Action Forum (WAF)