PC Workers Protest Rally – The Underlying Issues

A large group activist gathered together in front of the Pearl Continental Hotel to show solidarity with the protesting workers who have been holed up in the PC basement for the past 23 days. Having supported this cause on mere humanitarian issue I feel there are two sides to every argument, but interestingly this protest has far more deeper implications then what meets the eye.

The issue I feel is being complicated well beyond by a greater possibility of an underlying game of national politics. It is quite possible that the union activities are being irked by the PPP-led government trying to exert pressure on the Hashwani group to accede to their demands [I could go to the extent of speculating that this is probably a part of some serious Presidential level blackmailing tactic against the Hashwani group]. In the midst of this protest labor unions are having a field day leveraging their own positions and pushing the protesters to brace for a long fight.



While the 150 or so protesters holed up in the basement are taking the brunt of the struggle, they serve a full shift in the hotel and return back to the basement it interesting that this group is not / will not go into a total shut down strike which could bring the hotel into a standstill, while talking to a few people they felt that such disastrous actions will spur the police to raid the basement and throw everyone out.

Hashwanis on one hand are the rich and famous of Pakistan, have minted millions from the string of hotel chains across Pakistan but presently a declining tourism industry combined with a few hotel bombings namely Islamabad Marriot and PC Peshawar might actually felt the compulsion to downsize, starting off with a few layoffs, PC being a private entity has the right to make this business decision but with legalization of unions they are compelled to follow some degree of labor union laws, which sadly most business owners ignore.

Despite so many intricate complications as perceived by me, I continue to support the PC Worker Protest on a simply humanitarian basis and also urge you to sign their petition, how could the Hashwanis ignore the demands of 150 workers for 23 days and counting, I stand up against this elitism that has prevailed in Pakistan might is right in the military perspective and rich is right in a civilian context where the rich and famous tend to get away being above the law.

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4 responses to “PC Workers Protest Rally – The Underlying Issues”

  1. sy lodhi Avatar
    sy lodhi

    Dear Blogger,

    Would it not be possible for prez zardari to ensure that main stream press carries front page news of this issue? that wud make it a national issue. suo-moto justice might also jump in. labour unions wud have a field day. color revolutionaries in black, i.e the liers sorry lawers community wud have another cause to be in public view and make hefty tad of money in lagal cases. the immature and senseless anchors wud be jumping jacks of the issue.

    Perhaps u may be reading toooo much into an incident which is already out of press….certainly by force of authority and money.

  2. fatima.ahtesham Avatar

    Do something for them

  3. Nadir El Edroos Avatar
    Nadir El Edroos

    Could somone confirm this?

    PC Hotel occupation ended

    today at 9pm (on March 20). 1 of 4 activist restored. the other 3 will

    be restored in 10 days. Mangt forced to negotiate w union President

    Nasir. Jubiliation amongst occupying and protesting workers as they meet

    intside the hotel after 26 days of a brave occupation and strike by

    over 150 workes.

  4. Numbers Boggioni Avatar

    Very interesting blog post thank you for sharing I have added your blog to my bookmarks and will check back.