The struggle of the Sindh teachers against the ban on their union continues amid state repression. The sit-in that had been called for September 5 was postponed due to the critical situation in Balochistan, which has triggered violence across the whole of the country.
The teachers who were jailed were granted bail due to pressure from the movement. However, not long afterwards the bail was cancelled.
These teachers, including the chairman of the Alliance of All Teachers' Unions, Rafiq Jarwar, as well as Liaqat Aziz, Professor Taj Joyo, Noor Muhammad, M. Sharif, M. Ayub and Faheem Raza Soomro, appealed to the High Court in Hyderabad. The High Court granted them bail at 100,000 rupees for one week.
The teachers have decided to observe September 15 as a "black day", when the teachers all across Sindh will hold rallies and protests at their respective schools and colleges. The Teachers' Alliance has announced that their demands must be met by September 30. If these demands are not met, they will launch a movement of strikes and protests.
The state continues to harass the teachers and many teachers are being dismissed from their jobs or are being forced to leave. Many other teachers are also being threatened and face false accusations. Despite the threats and the repression the teachers are determined to continue the fight.
The Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign is actively participating in this struggle in defence of the rights of teachers. The PTUDC not only stands with the teachers in the face of repression but is also campaigning for international solidarity with the struggle.
The Sindh teachers also acknowledge the PTUDC's contribution. A delegation of teachers led by Husain Bux Khamesani visited the Karachi office of the PTUDC and thanked them for raising the question of their struggle internationally. They also thanked all the international organisations that have sent messages of solidarity to them and letters of protest to governments of Pakistan and Sindh.