Pakistan's industrial workers have the right to form trade unions, but labor laws place significant constraints on their formation and ability to function effectively.
Strikes are rare, and when they occur are usually illegal and short.
Police do not hesitate to crack down on worker demonstrations. Trade unions of all political orientations are permitted, and the political leanings of labor leaders cover the entire spectrum. While many unions remain aloof from party politics, it appears that the most powerful are those associated with political parties. Pakistan has been criticized by the ILO for not abiding by several ratified conventions. The right of workers to form associations and freely elect representatives to act as collective bargaining agents is established in law.