Demonstrations in Pakistan
Despite claims from the Pakistani government that the ongoing power crisis and slowdown in the world economy would not affect the country's exports in 2008-09, tanners in the Punjab province have been demonstrating, warning the government that finished leather and leathergoods exports are certain to suffer.
According to media reports, activists from the Kasur Tanneries Association blocked roads on Oct 27 in protest against a 16-hour unscheduled load shedding at Niaz Nagar Chowk.
More than 200 tannery owners attended the protest with banners inscribed with anti-government slogans as well as slogans condemning power distribution company Wapda.
Tannery owners Haji Abdul Ghuffar and Sheikh Muhammad Akram said frequent power failures had made it impossible for them to meet export orders and that many consignments had been cancelled by foreign buyers. They added that workers are already facing difficulties because of skyrocketing prices, and are now on the brink of starvation because of load shedding.
