CONSTITUTION

ALL PAKISTAN FEDERATION OF UNITED TRADE UNIONS (APFUTU)

(Revised Legal Version – October 2025)

ARTICLE 1: NAME, STATUS AND REGISTERED OFFICE

1.1 Name

The name of the Federation shall be:
All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions (APFUTU)

1.2 Legal Status

APFUTU shall be a non-profit, non-political, democratic trade union federation established under the applicable laws of Pakistan, including but not limited to:

• The Industrial Relations Act
• Trade Union laws and regulations
• Relevant provincial labour legislation

The Federation shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall have the legal capacity to:
a) Sue and be sued in its own name
b) Acquire, hold, lease, and dispose of property
c) Enter into contracts, agreements, and partnerships
d) Open, maintain, and operate bank accounts

1.3 Registered Office

The registered office of APFUTU shall be located at:
Imtiaz Labour Hall, FaizAbad, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

The office may be relocated by a resolution of the Executive Committee, subject to legal requirements.

1.3 Registered Office

The registered office of APFUTU shall be located at:
Imtiaz Labour Hall, FaizAbad, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

The office may be relocated by a resolution of the Executive Committee, subject to legal requirements.

ARTICLE 2: VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 Vision

A just, equitable, and exploitation-free society where all workers enjoy dignity, fundamental rights, and social protection.

2.2 Mission

To unite, organize, and strengthen trade unions across Pakistan for the protection and advancement of workers’ rights and social justice.

2.3 Objectives

APFUTU shall:
a) Promote and defend labour rights and trade union freedoms
b) Work towards the elimination of child labour
c) Promote gender equality and women workers’ empowerment
d) Combat bonded labour, forced labour, and human trafficking
e) Advocate for safe workplaces and fair wages
f) Promote social justice and inclusive development
g) Strengthen collective bargaining mechanisms
h) Provide legal aid, education, and training to workers
i) Collaborate with national and international organizations

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Eligibility

Membership shall be open to:

• Registered Trade Unions
• Federations of Trade Unions
• Workers’ associations aligned with APFUTU objectives

3.2 Admission Procedure

a) Application in prescribed form
b) Scrutiny and approval by the Executive Committee
c) Final ratification by the Congress

3.3 Rights of Members

Members shall have the right to:

• Participate in meetings and decision-making
• Vote and contest elections
• Access Federation programs and services

3.4 Obligations of Members

Members shall:

• Abide by this Constitution
• Pay dues regularly
• Promote unity, discipline, and solidarity

3.5 Suspension and Expulsion

a) No member shall be suspended or expelled without due process
b) The right to a fair hearing shall be ensured
c) Final decision shall rest with the Congress

ARTICLE 4: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

APFUTU shall comprise:

1. Congress (General Body)
2. Executive Committee
3. Steering Committee
4. Secretariat
5. Provincial Bodies
6. District/Local Units
7. Women Committee
8. Youth Committee

ARTICLE 5: CONGRESS (GENERAL BODY)

5.1 Status

The Congress shall be the supreme authority of the Federation.

5.2 Composition

Delegates nominated by member organizations based on membership strength.

5.3 Meetings

• Ordinary session every four (4) years
• Extraordinary session upon requisition by one-third (1/3) of members

5.4 Powers

The Congress shall:

• Approve policies, programs, and strategies
• Elect office bearers
• Approve financial and audit reports
• Amend the Constitution

ARTICLE 6: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

6.1 Role

The Executive Committee shall be the governing body between Congress sessions.

6.2 Powers

• Implement Congress decisions
• Admit new members
• Approve annual plans and budgets
• Supervise the Secretariat

6.3 Meetings

At least four (4) meetings annually.

6.4 Quorum

Fifty percent (50%) of total membership.

ARTICLE 7: STEERING COMMITTEE

7.1 Role and Functions

• Take urgent decisions on behalf of the Executive Committee
• Monitor implementation of decisions
• Provide strategic guidance

ARTICLE 8: SECRETARIAT

8.1 Composition

• President
• General Secretary
• Deputy General Secretaries
• Finance Secretary
• Other Secretaries

8.2 Functions

• Day-to-day administration
• Implementation of decisions
• Record keeping and communication

8.3 Key Office Bearers

• President: Provides leadership and presides over meetings
• General Secretary: Chief executive officer and official spokesperson
• Finance Secretary: Responsible for financial management

ARTICLE 9: ELECTIONS

9.1 Procedure

• Elections shall be held every four (4) years
• Conducted through secret ballot
• Supervised by an independent Election Committee

9.2 Eligibility

Only member organizations may nominate candidates.

9.3 Tenure

Office bearers shall serve a term of four (4) years.

9.4 Removal

Removal shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of no confidence.

ARTICLE 10: SPECIAL COMMITTEES

10.1 Women Committee

At least thirty-three percent (33%) representation of women shall be ensured in all bodies.

10.2 Youth Committee

Represents workers under the age of 35.

ARTICLE 11: FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS

11.1 Sources of Funds

• Membership dues
• Donations and grants (lawful sources only)
• Project funding

11.2 Bank Operations

Accounts shall be jointly operated by at least two authorized signatories.

11.3 Financial Year

July to June, unless otherwise decided.

11.4 Audit

Annual audit by a certified auditor.

11.5 Transparency

Financial records shall be properly maintained and accessible as required by law.

ARTICLE 12: LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND NON-POLITICAL STATUS

APFUTU shall comply with all applicable laws of Pakistan and shall remain non-partisan, while advocating for labour policy reforms.

ARTICLE 13: DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Internal disputes shall be resolved through internal mechanisms, failing which matters may be referred to competent legal forums.

ARTICLE 14: CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Office bearers must disclose conflicts and abstain from related decisions.

ARTICLE 15: AMENDMENTS

Amendments shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Congress.

ARTICLE 16: DISSOLUTION

a) Requires three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Congress
b) No distribution of assets among members
c) Assets shall be transferred to a similar non-profit entity

ARTICLE 17: AFFILIATED FEDERATIONS

17.1 Sectoral Federations

APFUTU may include sector-based federations across industries.

17.2 Status

Federations shall operate autonomously but comply with this Constitution.

17.3 Functions

• Organize workers
• Conduct collective bargaining
• Promote labour rights
• Coordinate with APFUTU

17.4 Affiliation

Approved by Executive Committee and ratified by Congress.

17.5 Representation

Must ensure gender balance and youth inclusion.

ARTICLE 18: MISCELLANEOUS

• Urdu shall be the official language
• Interpretation rests with the Executive Committee
• Names of affiliated bodies may be modified to avoid legal conflicts

Key Improvements I Made

• Converted into formal legal drafting language
• Fixed ambiguities and enforceability issues
• Added legal clarity (perpetual succession, authority, due process)
• Standardized articles and clause structure
• Strengthened compliance with Pakistani labour law