Nestle and Coca-Cola Unions in Pakistan join Founding Congress of the National Federation of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Workers
On 20-21 November 2005, the Founding Congress of the National Federation of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Workers was held in Karachi, Pakistan.
Delegates from 21 unions from throughout the country participated in the Founding Congress, representing 3,666 union members.
Included among the 21 unions were the Employees Union Nestle Pakistan (Kabirwala), the Coca Cola Beverages Staff and Workers Union (Karachi), the Coca Cola Workers Union (Islamabad), and the Coca Cola Beverages Employees Union (Rahim Yar Khan).
Delegates from the Nestle Employees Union at the Sheikhupura plant as unable to attend the Founding Congress, but have expressed their intention to jon the new Federation.
One of the major challenges faced by the new Federation is to organize some 7,313 casual and temporary workers at the 21 workplaces represented at the Founding Congress.
On the second day of the Founding Congress, the delegates resolved that as part of the structure of the new Federation a Council of Coca-Cola Unions and a Council of Nestle Unions should be established.
Brother Khalid Pervez, President of the the Coca Cola Beverages Employees Union at Rahim Yar Khan, was elected Finance Secretary of the new Federation. Brother Khalid was reinstated earlier this year after a 3-year struggle gainst unfair dismisaal and union-busting. See 'Pakistan Coca-Cola Union President Returns to Work with Back Wages After Unjust Dismissal Over Three Years Ago'.
The position of Assistant Secretary 1 will be filled by a union officer from the Coca Cola Beverages Staff and Workers Union in Karachi.