Various trade union leaders, political and social activists and journalists paid rich tributes to labour rights activist Rifat Hussain, also called “Riffat Baba”, at a condolence gathering organised by the Ahbaban-e-Riffat Baba, at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday.
“Baba” was the founder of the education programme at the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER).
The speakers on the occasion said that Baba would be remembered for a long time as he was a dedicated trade union activist, who played a significant role for the betterment of labourers.
“Riffat Baba was an honest and dedicated labour leader, who not only practically worked for the rights of workers, but translated the books of many prominent trade union leaders like Shankar Nevge of Chhatessgarh, which was published by PILER,” they said.
They stressed the need for trade union workers to come together on a single platform and combine their efforts for their rights.
“The country is facing problems and strengthening democracy is the only solution. People will continue their struggle for the supremacy of democracy and no one will be allowed to derail the democratic process,” they remarked.
“Pakistan should take steps to normalise relations with its neighbouring countries. Defence expenditures should be reduced and more funds allocated for the welfare of the common people of this country,” they demanded.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Prof Tauseef Ahmed of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karamat Ali of PILER, senior journalist Ghayasuddin, Aziz Abbasi of the Watan Dost Mazdoor Federation, Noor Mohammad of the Pakistan Workers Confederation, Habibuddin Junaidi, Yousuf Mustikhan, Usman Baloch, Ramzan Memon, Taj Haider, Anwar Kazmi, Farhat Parveen, Qamarul Hassan and Shaukat Ali.
