ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 : Labour reforms introduced by the government during the past two years would improve the condition of workers, Labour Minister Omar Asghar Khan said on Thursday.

Speaking to the senior officials of the ministry of labour on the occasion of Eid reunion, he said officials of the ministry had contributed greatly in policy-making and introducing steps to increase the minimum wages up to Rs2,500, minimum pension up to Rs700, death compensation from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 and increase in workers participatory profit Rs3,000 to Rs6,000 besides enhancement in wage ceiling entitlement from Rs3,000 to Rs5,000 for receiving the share in profit.

He also appreciated the WEBCOP, Federations of employers and workers, who had cooperated in the government efforts in introducing labour reforms and holding tripartite labour conference after 13 years.

He said cooperation of workers and employers community made it possible to introduce the labour reforms besides preparing an action plan for elimination of child labour and bonded labour.

The minister hoped that all the policies and steps taken in this regard would be implemented in future by the government so that the workers community could benefit at large in the country.

Such reforms would in fact improve the industrial relations and safeguard the interest of workers to put Pakistan on the road to progress.

Addressing the officers, Labour Secretary Farhat Hussain said the minister had introduced new ideas in formulating of labour reforms and opening the door of social dialogue between the employers and workers to create friendly relations which in fact is the key to gear up the economic activity in the country.