Mapping Labour Unions in Pakistan The divide between the two groups is clearly reflected in the labour movement too. A number of trade unions interviewed clearly describe themselves as being a part of Khurshid Ahmed or Zahoor Awan groups. 3.20. People’s Labour Bureau/Federation The People’s Labour Bureau/Federation is the labour wing of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Though not registered with the NIRC, it works on the same pattern as trade union Federations. They have an executive body and their affiliates are registered or CBA trade unions. Apart from PPP, other mainstream parties with labour wings are Jammat­e-Islami(National Labour Federation), Pakistan Muslim League-N(League Workers Federation) and Pakistan Tehreek e-Insaf(Insaf Labour Wing) The PLB covers Sindh province. Its president Haibudin Junaidi has been nominated by the Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party. The Federation has 50 affiliates from all over Sindh. The Peoples Labour Bureau’s offices in other provinces are being reorganised. Major sectors represented in the PLB include Pakistan Steel Mills union, PIA, Port Qasim Authority, State Bank of Pakistan CBA, Dock Labour Union, Karachi Port Trust, and Workers Welfare Board, and Social Security CBA, among others. The PLB was formed in 1986. Its headquarters is in Karachi, while regional offices are established in all districts and divisions of Sindh. Some of the offices are based in the party office. They consider their strength of being close to the party, which allows them to push labour issues in the Sindh Assembly. PLB takes credit for the pro­workers laws introduced by the PPP that governs the Sindh province. The PLB describes its ideology as the same as that of PPP, i,e, moderate. Its key agenda for workers is to organise workers irrespective of political affiliation. In addition, promoting pro workers legislation and implementation of labour legislation are also counted as objectives. They take credit for Sindh Government’s advancement in labour legislation and initiatives such as holding the first provincial tripartite conference in Sindh in December 2017. While affiliation with political parties is criticised among workers groups, the PLF deems it as workers right to associate with a political party and use the party’s platform to advance workers cause. 52