The meeting was adressed by Khurshid Ahmed, general secretary of the Pakistan Workers Confederation (the main body representing organised workers in Pakistan); Yousaf Baluch, the confederation's information secretary; Gulzar Ahmed Choudry, general secretary of the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation; and Farooq Tariq, general secretary of the Labour Party Pakistan (LPP).
Tariq said that the workers of both countries would be the real losers if the war between India and Pakistan escalates. Only the rich, who would enhance their profits, would benefit, he said. He stressed
Amsterdam the need to build a peace movement to counter the fundamentalists.
Most of the carpet workers were from Frontier Province and are generally thought to be conservative and supporters of the mujahideen fighters. But at this meeting the overwhelming majority opposed the war.
The carpet workers" union general secretary, Niaz Khan, also a leader of the LPP, said the bosses have one month to agree to the carpet workers' demands for better wages, social security provisions and better safety measures.
He warned that if the demands are not met, the strike of 1977. which won a 20% pay rise for this most exploited section of the working class in Pakistan, will be repeated. "The carpet workers are in a mood to fight!" he said. * This article first appeared in Green Left Weekly (Aus.)
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