On 25 February, 2025, outside the Lahore High Court, Mohammad Asif Javed Jutt doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire. The 48-year-old former Nestlé worker, who had spent nearly a decade fighting for fair employment, succumbed to his injuries days later.
His death was not just an individual tragedy but a severe condemnation of corporate impunity, judicial inefficiency, and the systematic exploitation of Pakistan’s labor force.
Now, Jutt’s name has become a rallying cry for worker-rights activists and labor unions across Pakistan, demanding justice for him and accountability for multinational corporations that continually evade legal and ethical responsibilities.
The Cost of Fighting for Workers’ Rights
For 16 years, Asif Jutt worked at Nestlé’s Kabirwala plant in Pakistan. In 2016, after attempting to unionize for better labor conditions, he was fired; an act widely condemned by labor activists as a blatant case of anti-union retaliation. However, his dismissal did not mark the end of his struggle.
Jutt pursued legal action, and in 2019, Pakistan’s National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) ruled in his favor, ordering his reinstatement and compensation for lost wages. But Nestlé, with its vast legal resources, refused to comply. It dragged the case through a series of appeals, ensuring that justice remained just out of reach.
For nearly a decade, Jutt fought a battle he could not afford. Without an income, he was forced to sell his home and properties, sinking into financial despair while also supporting his wife and four children. When yet another court hearing yielded no resolution, despair overtook him.
His self-immolation, standing as his final act of protest, exposed the power imbalance between corporations and the workers they exploit.
Legal Protections, Hollow Promises
Pakistan’s Constitution theoretically protects workers’ rights. Article 17 guarantees freedom of association, allowing laborers to form unions. Article 25 enshrines the principle of equality before the law. The Punjab Industrial Relations Act prohibits unfair labor practices by employers. Yet, Jutt’s case demonstrates how these legal protections are little more than words on paper.
Corporations like Nestlé are armed with legal maneuvers to avoid compliance. Endless appeals and procedural delays effectively annul workers’ victories in labor courts. The system does not work for the marginalized and is instead designed to exhaust them.
Even in death, Jutt’s legal battle continues. His widow and supporters demand full compensation for his family and criminal charges against Nestlé. The broader demand: structural reforms that prevent other workers from suffering the same fate.
The Rising Call for Justice
Jutt’s death has ignited a labor movement in Pakistan. Left-wing political groups such as the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party (HKP) and Mazdoor Kisan Party (MKP) have joined forces with trade unions, civil society organizations, and human rights activists to demand labor reforms and corporate accountability.
“The system is rigged in favor of corporations,” HKP leader Ammar Ali Jan stated in a recent press conference. ‘Jutt’s case exposes a wicked alliance between capital, the judiciary, and political elites.’
Beyond demanding justice for Jutt, the movement seeks to strengthen labor protections by ensuring that multinational corporations cannot bypass workers’ rights, reduce judicial delays that corporations exploit to exhaust workers into submission, while emphasizing on enforcing legal consequences for companies that fail to comply with labor court rulings. Finally, the movement seeks to support trade unions as a vital counterbalance to corporate power.
Even Pakistan’s feminist movement, Aurat March, has extended its support, stating that they have constantly advocated for the dignity of labor and opposed capitalist structures that exploit workers in the Global South.
Beyond Pakistan: A Global Struggle
Jutt’s case is part of a global struggle where multinational corporations suppress labor movements through legal loopholes, intimidation, and financial coercion. With vast resources, companies can delay justice indefinitely, undermining workers’ rights and exposing the imbalance between individuals and powerful corporations.
Addressing this issue requires a shift in power dynamics. Collective action through stronger trade unions, international solidarity, and legal reforms that prioritize workers over corporate interests could help counter exploitation and ensure fair treatment in labor disputes.
A Legacy of Resistance
Jutt’s widow and children remain without financial security, but his story has galvanized a movement that will not let his death be forgotten.
His self-immolation was a desperate plea for justice, one that exposed the cruelty of a system that values profit over human lives.
To donate to Jutt’s family, find more information on this Pakistan Forum Instagram Post.
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