Labor & Employment Law

Help The Victims of Pakistan?s Floods

By James Parks

When tragedy strikes American workers are always in the forefront of those offering help. This time, it?s the massive flooding caused by weeks of torrential rain in Pakistan.

In a letter to Khurshid Ahmed, general secretary of the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka expressed  solidarity with the Pakistani workers and offered condolences to the victims of the flooding.

In the letter, Trumka says:

Let me assure you that American workers are with you in your time of crisis.  We also know that the Solidarity Center office in Pakistan is working with you to help relieve some of the suffering and pain that your members and their families are experiencing.

The Solidarity Center is on the ground in Pakistan, assessing flood damage to determine the most urgent needs. Click here to contribute to the Solidarity Center?s Pakistan Flood Relief Campaign. As in past humanitarian crises, the Solidarity Center?s union partners, including the PWF, will use relief fund contributions to distribute clothing, medicine and non-perishable food to displaced workers and their families, build temporary shelters, and assist in providing needed counseling and health care.

The floods have inundated more than 60,000 square miles?one-fifth of the country. They have caused 1,600 reported deaths, destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes and displaced nearly one-twelfth of Pakistan?s population. Major losses of livestock and crops have wiped out livelihoods in a country where agriculture is the backbone of the economy.

 Globally, the International trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is calling for a major increase in international aid to Pakistan. The ITUC is in close contact with both the PWF and other unions since the onset of the floods. The PWF is providing food, clothing and clean water to victims through its regional organizations in the flood areas.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on August 31, 2010 (boomark / email).