Pakistan: Nestle workers under brutal attack by management

Nestle Management in Kabirwala, near Khanewal, have attacked the workers for raising their voice against tyranny. The official of the Police, Judiciary and Local Administration are slavishly following the orders of their capitalist masters.

Six false criminal cases have been registered against the union leadership in which 81 workers are accused; while a further 120 people are unnamed in these cases. This allows the police to arrest as many people as they can on the excuse of doubt. Sixteen workers were arrested by the authorities and sent to jail but 12 were later released due to pressure of the workers’ movement.

The "crime" of these workers has been simply to raise their voices against illegal sacking of workers that had not been reinstated despite a court order. The union leadership is also being harassed by Nestle management using various traditional tactics and manoeuvres of divide and rule, but the workers are fighting back and defying the bosses with their unity. Some people inside the union were bought off by the authorities but the workers have stayed united and are fighting and keeping the struggle going with their passion and patience.

Hundreds of workers blocked the Khanewal Kabirwala Road and then the Multan Lahore Motorway for 8 hours after which 12 of the 16 jailed workers were released on bail, but more cases are being prepared by the authorities to confuse and terrorise the workers.

The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign strongly condemns the brutal methods of the administration and declares its complete solidarity with the workers of Nestle Kabirwala. We appeal to workers of Pakistan and the whole world to raise their voice against the Nestle administration and express their solidarity with the victimised workers. An injury to one is an Injury to all.

• We demand the release of all the workers immediately and an end to all false cases.
• Reinstate all sacked workers with all benefits.
• Nationalise Nestle under the democratic control of the workers.