LAHORE: On the occasion of Labour Day, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has announced that the provincial government would raise the minimum wage in the province to Rs20, 000.
The provincial government increased the minimum monthly wage of workers by Rs2,000. It has been increased from Rs17,500 to Rs19,500 while the minimum daily wage has been fixed at Rs750.
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar in a statement, said 1,296 flats have also been allotted to workers in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, and Multan.
“The welfare of the labour class is the government’s priority and that it had increased the minimum wage by Rs5, 000 in the last three years,” Buzdar said. The chief minister said the marriage grant for labourers has been increased from Rs 100,000 to Rs 200,000.
It is worth mentioning here the president and the prime minister in their separate messages on the occasion of Labour Day have reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the working and living conditions of workers and provide housing and education facilities and extending health coverage to them and their families.
In his message, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the day provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our labour, both inland and abroad, towards nation-building.
He said the day symbolizes the dignity of labour and at the same time, it also provides us an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our labour, both inland and abroad, towards nation-building.
“Our religion lays special emphasis upon the principles of social justice and respect for rights of workers. There are numerous Ahadith highlighting rights of the workers, provision of adequate wages and ensuring fair treatment to the working class,” he said
He said the government also aims to develop automated, integrated systems for workers’ welfare institutions to ensure transparency and to curtail delays in providing relief to the workers.
He said the government has also embarked upon programs of vocational training and skills development to enable workers to get their due share in job markets within and outside the country.
PM Imran Khan said our government is fully aware of the challenges COVID-19 situation and our policy of striking a balance between the lives and the livelihoods is aimed at enabling the workforce to have sufficient earning for their families during the pandemic.
President Dr Arif Alvi, in his message, urged workers and employers of the country to come forward and play their role in making Pakistan a symbol of efficiency, cooperation and progress.
He said on this day, we reaffirm our resolve to continue our efforts for the dignity of labour and pay tribute to their valiant and heroic struggle for their fundamental rights.
Labour Day — also known as May Day — is observed around the world to express solidarity with and honour the rights of the labour class.
The purpose of celebrating this day is to initiate steps to provide job protection to labourers and industrial workers against any exploitation.
