PAKISTAN: The All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions reports that it has called for an end to its government's practice of requesting loans from such international agencies as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The APFTU says that Pakistan should depend entirely on its own resources.
A recent meeting of the federation expressed concern over mounting inflation, which was triggering an increase in prices of essential commodities, as well as creating unemployment.
Leaders of the trade union federation are urging the government to take the necessary measures for solving the problems of price hikes and unemployment, saying self-reliance and austerity should be encouraged at all levels.
The APFTU is affiliated at global level to the 23-million-strong International Metalworkers' Federation.