Much of Pakistan’s leather that ends up in our clothing and accessories, is produced under miserable labour conditions. During this program, photographer Asim Rafiqui confronts you with the images and stories of Pakistan’s leather industry workers. Followed by a discussion with experts, politicians and representatives of the industry on how these circumstances can be improved.
The leather tanning industry in Pakistan employs about 500,000 Pakistanis who often do precarious work under deplorable labour conditions. Chemicals and heavy machinery are used without protective equipment. Labourers work long hours and still do not earn enough to make a decent living. They are hired through contractors and have no job security. The leather they produce accounts for 5.4% of Pakistan’s total exports.
To raise awareness about these circumstances, photo collective NOOR, Oxfam Novib and SOMO organize a pop-up exhibition in the Humanity House. NOOR-photographer Asim Rafiqui traveled for Oxfam and SOMO to Karachi, where he filmed, documented and photographed Pakistan’s leather industry workers’ miserable labour conditions.
About the speakers
Asim Rafiqui (Pakistan, 1966) is an independent photojournalist whose work has appeared in Newsweek, Time, Harper’s, Stern, National Geographic (France) and many other publications. Since 2012 he has been using a variety of media to present a more nuanced and personal perspective on the issue of access to justice in Pakistan for Pakistan’s most marginalized communities.
Martje Theuws is researcher at SOMO. She specializes in research on human rights and labour rights issues in the global textile and garment industry. Martje works with partner organizations from (amongst others) India, Myanmar and Bangladesh to expose corporate policies and practices that lead to the systemic violation of the rights of workers in the textile and garment industry.