Unite branch of Cambridge University agreed unanimously to support PTUS campaign against state abduction of workers in Pakistan. A motion was presented highlighting protection movement of Pashtuns PTM and its support by trade unionists and workers in Pakistan.
We also had the following important trade union and Labour party figures signing the petition of protest: Jane Loftus, President of the Communication Workers Union, Steve Hedley, Senior Assistant General Secretary of the Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, Apsana Begum, Momentum National Coordinating Group and Secretary Tower Hamlets Labour Party, and also the Queen Margaret University UCU branch:
The UCU Queen Margaret University Branch in Edinburgh also sent the following message of solidarity to the PTM activists in Pakistan:
“UCUQMU branch send our solidarity to the 7 Pashtun Tahafuz (Protection) Movement (PTM) activists abducted by the Pakistani state. As trade unionists we view the right to protest and the protection of oppressed minorities as vital principles that we defend the world over. We condemn this action and call for democratic processes and freedom of political expression for the PTM activists to be recognised and for them to be released immediately.”
Furthermore, the King’s College London branch of the UCU unanimously passed a motion of solidarity with the abducted seven. The same motion will be sent to the UCU’s annual congress in May. If passed, it will throw the weight of the entire union behind the fight against state abductions.
PTUS is approaching international trade unions, individuals and workers organisations to support the campaign to defend Pakistan workers and trade unionists against attacks by the bosses and the state. PTUS campaign thanked all trade unions and progressive individuals for showing solidarity and standing shoulder to shoulder for Pakistani workers.
