01 May 2004	Saturday	10 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, April 30: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali have reaffirmed their commitment to ending exploitation of labourers and called upon the working class to contribute fully towards increasing productivity.

President Musharraf in his message on the Labour Day said: "Let us, on this day, resolve to eliminate all forms of exploitation and oppression." Urging the employers to have an enlightened approach in dealing with labourers, he said there was an urgent need for the aspirations of the employers and the working class to converge in order to increase productivity and promote the well-being of all.

"Without economic development of the country we cannot realize the objective of a modern dynamic and moderate Islamic welfare state. I, therefore, urge all Pakistanis to work hard for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan," he said.

"The employers on their part must ensure good working conditions to the employees. If we have to enter the World Trade Organization regime as a prosperous and self-respecting nation, we should have a fair deal with our workers and also improve their skills in terms of service," he said.

The president said May 1 was observed every year to "pay tribute to the entire working class and to reaffirm our commitment to uphold and enhance the dignity of labour. No covenant upholds the dignity of labour as firmly as does Islam. The best way to ensure the welfare of the working class, therefore, is to follow Islamic injunctions.

"As we celebrate May Day, let us pledge that we will strive in accordance with the teachings of Islam to rid our country of all discrimination against labourers and workers.

"For the first time in the history of our country, workers have been given the right to participate in the decision-making process at the grassroots. For this purpose the devolution of power plan was introduced, that ensures representation to all segments of society.

"Workers and peasants under this devolution plan are elected on seats reserved for them in the local government elections. With this system in place, workers will now be able to contribute to their emancipation by participating in the political decision-making, ensuring the well-being of not only the working class but other sections of the society as well."

The prime minister in his message said, "On this day, let us renew our pledge and determination to work hard for the development and prosperity of our country.

Let us join hands in our common endeavours to make Pakistan a developed and prosperous state. Inshallah, with your help, we shall be able to attain these destined goals. "Official participation in this celebration is a token of the government's recognition of workers' rights and their protection.

"These rights are universally acknowledged as inalienable, and a code of labour standards has been developed and applied internationally to safeguard and promote them through the International Labour Organization on behalf of the United Nations. "In the perspective of these standards, labour is no more a commodity to be traded but an integral part of the socio-economic system and we believe in it.