Workers at Unilever’s Lipton tea factory in Pakistan are protesting the company's continual policy of replacing decent union jobs with temporary, disposable jobs. Almost 100% of jobs at Unilever's Khanewal factory are temporary. US trade and development policy abroad has only encouraged the exploitation of workers. The Reconstruction Opportunity Zones Act, pending US legislation that will affect Pakistan, is likely to encourage further exploitation of workers.

Unilever and other corporations around the world are systematically denying workers their rights to unionize and make a decent living by subcontracting out jobs, driving workers deeper into poverty. Pakistani Lipton workers are fighting back! Unilever's Lipton tea factory in Khanewal employs 22 permanent workers and 723 “temporary”, disposable workers. These are contract workers hired through contract labor agencies. Because they are contract laborers they have no annual or medical leave, cannot join a union of Unilever workers and receive a wage that is 1/3 of the permanent workers' wage.

Supported by the International Union of Food Workers (IUF) these workers are currently challenging their disposable contracts and demanding their right to direct employment. Unilever has been collectively discriminating against workers seeking their rights. Tell Unilever to respect permanent work and negotiate with Lipton workers' union!

For more information on Lipton Workers, visit the Casual-T Campaign page here: www.iuf.org/casualtea/ For info on contract labor and precarious work click here.