Pakistan carpet workers win big wage increase

The Ittehad Labour Union Carpet Industries began a living wage campaign for carpet workers in Lahore at the beginning of 2012. On the 12th of March, a majority of carpet workers went out on a co-ordinated strike. By the end of the week, carpet workers had won the largest ever wage increase, whereby 85% of Lahore’s carpet manufacturers agreed to pay a 27% wage increase as well as a 33%  increase in piece rates. The union is now targeting smaller companies that are refusing to pay up.

The Ittehad Labour Union Carpet Industries began a living wage campaign for carpet workers in Lahore at the beginning of 2012. On the 12th of March, a majority of carpet workers went out on a co-ordinated strike. By the end of the week, carpet workers had won the largest ever wage increase, whereby 85% of Lahore’s carpet manufacturers agreed to pay a 27% wage increase as well as a 33%  increase in piece rates. The union is now targeting smaller companies that are refusing to pay up.