Rehana Yaqoob

 (Asim Rafiqui)Rehana Yaqoob, a widow, lost her son Shahid (24) in the factory fire – Shahid was earning about Rs 9000 per month at the time of his death. Rehana had raised her two sons by working multiple jobs as a cleaning woman.

This is from a series of stories about the families of the victims of the Ali Enterprises garment factory who died in the factory fire on September 11, 2012. The stories explore the consequences of state supported erosion of labor rights, and a reluctance to check and enforce employee benefits and protections. A state of affairs that leaves tens of thousands working in one of Pakistan’s largest industries in conditions of deep economic and social fragility, and overt economic exploitation.