The Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation PCHWF has marked a historic milestone in Pakistan’s labour movement, uniting CHWs Nationwide under one powerful banner for their Rights and Protection.
On the 23rd day of November 2024 in lahore, the CHWs known in Pakistan as Lady Health Workers, Lady Health Supervisors and polio workers from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan formed a new national federation named Pakistan Community Health Workers federation-PCHWF.
At this historic moment, leaders and representatives from various labour federations, civil society organizations, and international platforms came together to express their solidarity, support, and appreciation for the women who struggled a lot for the empowerment and rights of the CHWs who are the women.
The launch convention of the PCHWF witnessed inspiring addresses from labour leaders and activists. The Public Services International-PSI regional secretary Kate Lappin addressed the National launch and congratulated the Community Health Workers across Pakistan who have organised themselves into a powerful National Union. These Women who dedicate themselves to improving public health, and providing support to the most remote communities are undoubtedly entitled to respect, a living wage and a dignified retirement. We know that will only be achieved through the unity of workers, in Pakistan and across the world and we will proudly continue to work with them in solidarity.
In this historic convention the newly elected office bearers of the Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation PCHWF, took their oath which was let by the Shamas Ur Rehman Swati the president National Labour Federation-NLF by the President of the National Labour Federation Shams ur Rehman Swati. Later, Shams ur Rehman Swati restated his complete support to the brave leadership of the PCHWF. He reassured the newly elected representatives of PCHWF that the National Labour Federation (NLF) fully supports their fight for the rights and protection of community health workers (CHWs) in the country.
We will not allow government to out-source health facilities. Together we will protect public health services. Halima Laghari President Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation-PCHWF.
Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation will ensure the safety and security of all CHWs: Said Rahila Tabassum General Secretary from Punjab
We are on the frontlines of every crisis but our salaries are delayed and families suffering. It will be the role of our Federation to ensure that all payments are done on time and all benefits are granted as needed.Rafasiyat Qamar Chairperson fron KP.
We work continuously in harsh weather conditions but we are not respected like humans. The federation is here to change the trend and get us to have our freedoms.Parveen Sakhi from Balochistan
Renowned Labour leaders from Pakistan like Shams ur Rehman Swati, President of the National Labour Federation (NLF); Ch. Abdul Rehman Aasi, Chairman of the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF); and Sister Rukhsana from the All Pakistan Labour Federation, Ch. Haseeeb Ur Rehman General Secretary NLF, Hanif Ramay Provincial President Muthida Labour federation-MLF, Munir Hussain Bhatti from All Pakistan Wapda hydro electric Union, Zafar Malik Railways Union lahore, Fatima Asad & Rubina from Homenet Pakistan and others extended their support to the newly formed federation. Other notable attendees included HomeNet Pakistan, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and representatives from media and legal organizations.
Their solidarity highlights the shared commitment to justice, equality, and the empowerment of all workers, especially the women who make up a significant portion of CHWs in Pakistan.
Mir Zulfiqar, the Executive Director of WERO, Said PSI played an important role in the process of organizing the CHWs in Pakistan. He further mentioned that PSI was the world’s first global federation that organized, united and trained the CHWs to lay a foundation for the existence and rights of the CHWs. As we commemorate the event, it is important to note that today, Pakistan CHWs have been empowered for the past ten years, he said. More than 20,000 CHWs from across the country are part of this fantastic journey of struggle and determination in addition to passion; their spirit has not only impacted a change but, has the potential to revive the labour movement in Pakistan.
Mir Zulfiqar, the Executive Director of WERO, Said PSI played an important role in the process of organizing the CHWs in Pakistan. He further mentioned that PSI was the world’s first global federation that organized, united and trained the CHWs to lay a foundation for the existence and rights of the CHWs. As we commemorate the event, it is important to note that today, Pakistan CHWs have been empowered for the past ten years, he said. More than 20,000 CHWs from across the country are part of this fantastic journey of struggle and determination in addition to passion; their spirit has not only impacted a change but, has the potential to revive the labour movement in Pakistan. We are grateful to the PSI, FORSA, IMPACT and KNZ for their unconditional support, resources and guidance to organize, empower and build capacities among the CHWs In Pakistan.
Therefore, the formation of the Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation can be regarded as a major achievement in Pakistan’s labour movement. It represents the hardness that emerges out of consolidation plus togetherness in the action. As the federation goes through this process it wants to deliver the dreams of nearly every CHW who has been working towards a better tomorrow.
This moment means not only the CHWs but also the labour movement in Pakistan, for women and for everyone who needs solidarity all around the world. PCHWF is a light at the end of the tunnel which shows that when the workers unite the extraordinary is possible.
