Pakistan Observes International Labour Day Today

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan, like other parts of the world, is observing International Labour Day today to acknowledge and commend the invaluable contributions of the labour class.

The fundamental objective of observing the day is to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the working class and create awareness about their rights, and protect them from exploitation.

President, PM call upon to uphold dignity, protection of labour force

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called upon all stakeholders, including the business community and industrialists, to uphold the dignity and protection of country’s labour force.

In their separate messages on the International Labour Day, they said that a nation that protects its workers, protects its future. They said labour empowerment is the pathway to lasting national strength.

President Asif Ali Zardari said, Pakistan remains committed to maintain international labour standards and promoting fundamental rights at work, including fair wages, social protection, the elimination of forced and child labour and non-discrimination.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, Pakistan’s labour force, both at home and abroad, reflects our national capability, industriousness, and professional excellence.

He said national institutions, including the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution and the Workers Welfare Fund, continue to strive for the welfare of workers and their families by providing pensions, housing, education, and other essential services.

Salik announces to allot houses, flats to industrial workers in Islamabad

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain has announced that houses and flats will soon be allotted on merit to industrial workers in Islamabad.

In his message on the occasion of International Labour Day, he highlighted the steps taken by the government for workers’ welfare and protection.

He said key achievements include providing employment abroad to over 762,000 Pakistanis, increasing remittances to about forty billion dollars and creating new job opportunities through bilateral agreements with Italy, Qatar, South Korea, Belarus and several other countries.

He mentioned that the government has increased financial assistance by raising the marriage grant from four hundred thousand rupees to six hundred thousand rupees and the death grant from eight hundred thousand rupees to one million rupees.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the government has made the welfare of workers one of its top priorities.

He said we have taken effective and concrete measures not only at the national level but also internationally to protect workers’ rights. He said by ratifying important conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Pakistan is committed to providing all fundamental rights to workers.

The Minister for Overseas Pakistanis said that this day reminds us of the brave workers of the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, who sacrificed lives for their rights. He paid tribute to the martyrs of Chicago, emphasizing their sacrifices gave a new direction to the labour movement worldwide.