Background
Labour Education Foundation,
Established in 1993 as a non-government organization, Labour Education Foundation (LEF) is an initiative of renowned trade union leaders, human rights and women rights activists to organize, capacitate and advocate for workers rights and provide informed input to trade unions and various civil society organizations for promoting workers rights. Having offices in Lahore, Karachi and Mardan, LEF conducts its activities throughout Pakistan.
LEF has been devoting considerable resources to support and enable formal and informal sector workers to organize themselves, develop their knowledge, claim their rights and transform unequal power relations.
LEF has been honored with the SILVER ROSE AWARD for 2011 by SOLIDAR, a European network of 52 NGOs active in over 90 countries to advance social justice. Silver Rose Award was given to LEF on 1st March 2011 in a ceremony held in European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
Vision & Mission
VISION
A democratic, progressive, just, peaceful and developed society where working class—men, women and youth—empowered to claim and protect its social, economic and political rights.
MISSION
Conscious, informed and gender sensitized workers, women and youth groups challenging the existing situation as part of the movements for ensuring economic emancipation, gender equality, promoting constitutional, legal and labour rights, eradicating violence and working for a democratic and nuclear-free society.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The beneficiaries are demanding representation, fighting to change the laws, policies and practices that deny their rights, sharing thoughts which are not commonly heard of and taking collective actions.
In the last ten years, 31 new trade unions, have been organized and registered with the LEF support.
Built the capacity of trade unions and workers’ groups through information dissemination, legal aid, negotiating minimum wages for workers and facilitating in obtaining social security cards, etc.
Workers joined the campaign to resist military dictatorship and became part of the wider democratic struggle of Lawyers’ Movement.
Trained over 1000 trade union members in basic trade unionism, leadership and political education.
Provided legal aid to over 1500 workers during the last 8 years.
Formed Action Committee to campaign for the implementation of Minimum Wage.
Organized Home Based Women Workers Federation and cooperatives for home based women workers that are now negotiating with investors for fair wages, developing linkages with other business entities for better income, minimizing the role of middleman and taking active part in litigation involving workers.
Successfully running a resource centre with pre-printing and printing facility on subsidized rates for trade unions and social outfits.
Over 3000 working children were educated in five years (1996-2000) in three schools called Union Schools for Working Children.
Educated more than 3000 workers through 20 Adult Literacy Centres
Strategy & Focus
STRATEGY
LEF engages in a sustainable process of change through a wide-ranging movement for enabling workers to demand economic justice, eradicate poverty by challenging neo-liberal policies and politics affecting the masses, especially women and marginalized communities. The process includes:
Organizing and training trade unions, encouraging women participation especially from informal sector, Linking issues with health and environment, Emphasizing on networking with other initiatives and movements, Raising consciousness regarding political, legal, social and economic rights, Linking peace, gender equality and development with human rights, and Using integrated participatory approach to execute its activities and plans.
FOCUS
Through its activities LEF focuses on workers’ rights, education, gender equality, peace, democracy and development.
Structure
General Body:
National level General Body has 43 members (of them 11 women) nominated by trade unions and workers’ organizations affiliated with LEF.
Board:
An 11-member Board including 3 women, elected by General Body every two years in LEF Congress helps in identifying policy guidelines for the organization.
Staff:
LEF has staff of 30 including 13 women and covers all parts of the country through its activities.
Current Projects
Community Literacy and Facilitation Centers
Awareness Raising and Strengthening of Brick Kiln Workers in Pakistan
Labour Community Organizations
Strengthening Trade Unions – A Pathway for Ensuring Labour Right in Pakistan
Fikr-e-Nau School (established in Kashmir after the earthquake)
Livelihood KPK Project-Vocational Training for Females
LEF Programme Highlights 2008-2010
1-Democracy, Peace and Workers’ Rights (DPWR)
The following activities were conducted under the project of Democracy, Peace and Workers’ Rights during the period January 2008 to December 2010 focusing target groups from textile, carpet, metal, food, home based women workers and informal sector workers and public employment sectors. A total 65,496 workers participated in the activities, including more than 20,000 females.
• 34 training workshops were held in Lahore Karachi, Faisalabad, Kasur, Hyderabad, Hub and Mardan. There were discussions on modules based on Basic Trade Unionism, Leadership Building and Political Education. Topics like Historical background of the trade union movement, political, social and economic situation of workers, importance of women workers participation in trade union Movement, Gender awareness’ and HIV/AIDs were covered. These workshops brought together 1,155 participants including more than 100 female workers.
• Nine conferences were organized, including “PTCL Workers Solidarity Multi-Party Conference” in Lahore and “The Tragedy of Missing Persons and Role of State and Responsibilities of Civil Society” in Islamabad. These conferences brought together 672 participants from different trade unions, political parties and civil society organizations. Of them 163 were women.
• Four press conferences were held to highlight the plight of working class by involving in and sensitizng mainstream media about the cause. The tool also helped in building pressure on the government to make it listen to the grievances of the workedrs.
• LEF organized 27 seminars in Karachi, Hyderabad, Toba Tek Singh and Faisalabad on the subjects of labour rights, women workers issues, minimum wages and commemoration of International Labour Day followed by a rally. 12,537 activists, including 2,163 women, took part in the seminars.
• A total of 361 study circles were conducted in Faisalabad, Karachi, Gujranwala, Kasur and Lahore. These study circles covered workers issues like minimum wages, social security, health and safety, gender issues, HIV/AIDS, flood and its causes, current political, peace and security situation, information about trade unionism, its benefits and other social and economic problems. In Karachi and Hyderabad some of the study circles were conducted only for women to discuss their specific needs and strategic interests as workers. At least 6,239 workers, including 1908 females, participated.
• 420 orientation sessions were organizedwith a total participation of 5315, including 1669 females. Orientation sessions are considered a base for the introduction of workers rights agenda at the grassroots level. Emphasis on gender issues was a significant component in the sessions to challenge the discrimination at the first place. At a result of this activity, 43 new units were opened.
• Eight major demonstrations & rallies were organized in Faisalabad, Karachi and Lahore. 8000 workers participated in the activities to demand increment in wages, protest inflation, illegal dismissals of workers from Stalco factory.
• A two-day joint staff meeting was held at Karachi. 15 staff members participated. 8 were females and 7 were males. At the first day of meeting presentations were delivered by all coordinators from four provinces. Second day of the meeting was on future strategy for the organization and staff.
• Total 71 field visits were done by LEF staff and affiliated trade union leadership in different cities like Lahore, Karachi, Hub, Hyderabad, Quetta, Pasni, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Toba Tek Sing, Multan, Kasur, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Peshawer and Islamabad to establish/ strengthen networking among different trade unions, organize different activities and do follow-up, provide legal aid, participate in different solidarity actions, and expand the outreach of LEF projects.
• 328 different cases of legal help were handled in support of 556 workers, mostly sacked from jobs for taking part in trade union activities, demanding raise in their wages, etc. Legal support was also provided in some cases of union registration and dues payments.
• A major opportunity was provided to LEF staff to take part in the capacity building and in-house trainings. 15 team members availed the opportunity. One staff member took part in a 5-day training workshop titled “Management of Membership Based Organization and Strategic Planning”. 3 in- house sessions about the feminist movement in the country and its linkages with workers rights, awareness about sexual harassment act were very beneficial for the staff. Approximately 10 meetings were attended by the project staff on invitation.
• Prime Minister announced the minimum wages in July 2008 which was Rs6000 for unskilled workers. LEF launched a campaign for the implementation of the announcement which is still going on. A poster was published. In 2010 government announced Rs.7000 as minimum wage. LEF supported trade union leaders to visit different industrial areas of Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Kasur and Sheikhupura for negotiations with the employers to implement the Minimum Wage Act and organizing workers to claim this right. The poster was reprinted.
2- Strengthening Trade Unions-A Pathway for Ensuring Labour Rights in Pakistan
During March to December 2010, under the project the following activities took place with the objective of enhancing capacity of selected trade unions of textile and home-based sectors:
• A mapping was done through information collection from different sources to find out existing trade unions in targeted sectors.
• An outline was prepared to facilitate an old trade unionist to document his struggle for publishing in LEF publications.
• The existing distribution list has been updated while a system is under discussion to get feedback and develop proxi indicators to gauge utilization of LEF publications.
• Three meetings were organized for orientation of staff about SASK project activities in Lahore, Karachi and Mardan. Annual plan with locations and names of focal persons for each activity was developed.
• Orientation sessions and other trainings were designed.
• Reading material for training was selected and developed, a pool of individual experts to be invited for training was identified, mainly from trade unions and LEF staff, and orientated.
• Reporting, monitoring and evaluation formats were developed.
• A training workshop on Basic Trade Union was conducted on June 10, 2010 at Toba Tek Singh Press Club for 40 workers, including 10 women.
• Orientation session on issues facing Home-Based Women Workers (HBWW) was organized at Mardan on April 16, 2010. 15 home-based workers joined and discussed organizing initiatives as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa women are facing cultural barriers.
• Another session was held at Faisalabad on May 21 for textile workers. 13 from Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM), power loom workers union, attended it and discussed a national level federation for textile workers.
• In Karachi, an orientation session was organized for 9 National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) leaders on June 21 to discuss involvement of NTUF member textile unions in the project activities. NTUF also agreed to back the idea of national level textile workers’ federation.
• One such session was arranged on June 30, 2010 in Lahore. 21 HBWW and one social worker took part in the session.
• 2 seminars, 3 training workshops, 1 paralegal training, 20 orientation sessions, 2 orientation sessions with media, 1 joint staff meeting, 8 field visits held in July-December 2010.
3- Adult Literacy Centres (ALCs)
• 20 schools for adult learners were opened during the project life, between 2002-2009. The project ended on November 2009 but 13 ALCs were run on voluntary basis where sustainable in Karachi, Hyderabad and Hub (Balochistan) until December 2010.
• An orientation session was held to brief the staff concerned about the aims of the project and the course to be undertaken.
• Project coordinators were selected and trained on how to run and monitor the ALCs.
• Training sessions for the teachers selected for the project were held.
• Centre Management Committees (CMCs) were formed involving the communities where the ALCs were running for better monitoring of the project.
• Periodical CMCs meeting were organized to review performance of ALCs and seek suggestions for improvements.
• Coordinators visited each ALC at least once a month to monitor performance of teachers, teaching methodology, use of material, discipline and communication between the teachers and learners.
• Monthly review meetings were organized to get feedback from the coordinators and teaching staff and share mutual experiences.
• Teaching, study circles, trade union activities are being held
• Members are also taking part in training workshops and seminars.
• Four skill development centers were established at these schools where learners were trained in embroidery work, stitching, cloth painting, etc.
4- Labour Community Organizations (LCOs)
The following activities took place during January 2009–December 2010 under the project.
• A one-day project staff training was organized for orientation of the staff about aims, objectives and procedures of the project.
• Interested volunteers and activists already in contact through various projects were listed.
• 11 meetings were held in various parts of Lahore to discuss social and political issues and formation of LCOs. These were aimed at inspiring and motivating the working class to take part in social and political activities and to form LCOs.
• 95 trade union and social activists were trained through two five-day and as many three-day workshops organized in Lahore in one year.
• Four two-day training workshops were held.
• Four social mobilizers were recruited.
• An orientation meeting for LEF staff and social mobilizers was held.
• 76 study circles were organized in all LCOs. Around 450 people participated covering subjects like HIV/AIDS, gender awareness, sexual harassment, family laws, marriage contract, disaster management, peace and conflict, health and hygiene and methods of purifying water.
• Fortnightly meetings with social mobilizers and members of the nine committee formed were held.
• On the communities’ demand, a seminar, two demonstrations, two sports tournaments, nine medical camps, and a visit of NADRA mobile team for issuing NICs were organized.
5- Building Brick Kiln Workers’ Union
During July 2008-December 2010 the following activities took place under the project:
• 311 study circles were held in which on average 25 brick kiln workers participated.
• 44 meeting including 2 union districts planning, 1 provincial level meeting, 1 brick kiln workers’ public meeting and 23 activities/meetings were held to provide information, legal help, extend solidarity, discuss and protest on workers’ related issued.
• Nine training workshops were arranged
• Three press conferences were organized
• Six conferences were held.
• In 40 cases at least 484 workers and their family members were got released through judicial intervention.
• At least 5,744 workers were facilitated in getting national identity cards (NICs).
• Four meetings of Women Committees were held, one each in Lahore, Kasur, Pattoki and Toba Tek Singh to protect and promote the rights of women workers in kiln industry.
6- Empowering Home Based Women Workers (HBWW)
During the project life June 2008-October 2008, many activities like meetings, study circles, labour day programmes, meetings with local and provincial members, women international day, etc., were arranged. These were aimed at supporting their skills to organize themselves, and build capacity to interact and negotiate with others, like influential people, contractors and investors.
• 7 Cooperatives were set up and adult literacy classes were started at the cooperatives for the benefit of the HBWW, in 99 percent cases illiterate.
• Lobbied with government and legislators both on federal and provincial level for announcement of national policy on HBWW and law making for social protection of HBWW.
• Became part of Home Net Pakistan and HN South Asia for national and regional networking of organizations working on HBWW.
• Attended a South Asian training initiative on how to organize a member-based organization, in India.
• Part of federal Working Group to evolve consensus on HBWW and draft a national policy on HBWW.
• Formed a Working Committee in a consultation in November 2009 to draft a bill for legislation on rights and social protection of HBWW.
• HBWW union was got registered in November 2009.
• Formed Federation of HBWW unions on December 30, 2009 and its local units, so far in 12 localities with 2,100 membership.
• Two unions in Balochistan in garment and embroidery sectors were registered on September 4, 2009.
7- Adult Literacy Development Project (ALDP)
On the basis of the successful experience in running two previous adult literacy projects ALDP was launched with a new, 10 adult literacy circles were added in 2008 to already running 30 such circles in Lahore with more than 380 participants.
• An orientation session was held to brief the staff concerned about the aims of the project and the course to be undertaken.
• Project coordinators were selected and trained on how to run and monitor the ALDPs.
• Training sessions for the teachers selected for the project were held.
• Centre Management Committees (CMCs) were formed involving the communities where the ALDPs were running for better monitoring of the project.
• Periodical CMCs meeting were organized to review performance of ALDPs and seek suggestions for improvements.
• Coordinators visited each ALDP at least once a month to monitor performance of teachers, teaching methodology, use of material, discipline and communication between the teachers and learners.
• Monthly review meetings were organized to get feedback from the coordinators and teaching staff and share mutual experiences.
• Teaching, study circles, trade union activities were held.
• Members also took part in various training workshops and seminars.
Activities
ORIENTATION SESSIONS/STUDY CIRCLES
Every year, LEF arranges scores of orientation sessions and study circles for workers in their areas to familiarize with and educate about existing realties, relevant issues and happenings both at national and international level. Orientation sessions and study circles are the first stage for engaging workers in activities for guiding LEF’s planning and intervention strategy and involving them in the broader movement for human rights.
CAPACITY BUILDING
LEF conducts training workshops, seminars and conferences every year on trade unionism, democracy, peace, human rights concepts, gender equality, health specially HIV/AIDS, violence against women, family laws to raise awareness and train workers to take actions at their own in their respective areas.
LEF has played a vital role in developing three unions of home-based women workers involved in bangle making, garments and embroidery, initiated and got registered Home Based Women Workers Federation, now a representative body the government is obliged to negotiate with concerning their issues.
NETWORKING
LEF is affiliated with International Federation of Workers’ Education Associations (IFWEA), South Asia Labour Forum, Joint Action Committee for Peoples Rights, Home-Net Pakistan, Anti-war Committee, Pakistan Peace Coalition, Pakistan Social Forum and Anti-Privatization Alliance.
Main networking efforts of LEF include:
Initiated and strengthened Labour Relief Campaign in collaboration with other like-minded organizations after the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005. A similarly successful campaign was launched after the 2010 floods.
On LEF initiative, a Trade Union Action Committee for Minimum Wages has been formed in collaboration with 11 organizations to seek implementation of the minimum wages.
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
LEF maps public issues, develops and publishes situation analysis and user-friendly training manuals to highlight realities of workers’ lives and build opinion and envisage subsequent collective actions.
It publishes a monthly newsletter “Labour Education”, produces quick and user-friendly information packages, issue-based and motivational posters and leaflets to meet immediate and long-term needs of workers.
Legal Help
LEF has formed a panel of lawyers for providing legal help, support in terms of information and linking with the relevant institutions especially for brick kiln workers to provide them relief against the atrocities and oppression of owners.
Contact Us
Lahore Office:
House # 2, Nazir Garden, Harbans Pura, Lahore, Pakistan.
(54000)
Tel: 92-42-37392496, 36303808
Email: lef lef.org.pk www.lef.org.pk
Mardan Office:
Quarter # 122, Labour Colony, Siri Balon, Thakt Bahi,
Mardan Tel: 92-937-881145