KARACHI, May 8: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that high industrial productivity and its growth owes to better wages and maximum facilities to workers. Addressing workers’ convention in Landhi here on Saturday, the chief minister said that the government would ensure that industrialists gave good salary/package to workers, besides committing increased contribution towards social responsibilities.

The convention was hosted by the Harbour and Dock Workers’ Union of Port Qasim and attended by employees of both private and public sector organizations.

Dr Arbab assured the workers of making every possible effort to resolve their problems and improve their standard of living.

He acknowledged that housing was a main problem being faced by workers. In this regard, he said, the government had planned a number of low-cost housing schemes, mostly flats, in Karachi and other parts of the province. He pointed out that many foreign companies were in touch with the government for investment in housing sector.

The chief minister said that a twin city would be developed in Nooriabad with standard infrastructure and facilities. He observed that the peaceful conditions prevailing across the province had resulted in a significant increase in foreign investment.

“All this has become possible due to the effective policies being pursued by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz,” he added.

He pointed out that a number of countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, UAE and USA appeared keen to invest in Sindh as conditions here had become conducive for the purpose.

“This augurs well as the foreign investment will offer plenty of job opportunities to the people of Sindh, bringing prosperity to hundreds of thousands of families,” he added.

Minister of State for Water and Power Engr Amir Muqam assured workers that IRO-2002 would soon be amended to the full satisfaction of workers.

“I have talked to the secretaries of labour and law and they have agreed to amending some sections of the ordinance” he said, adding that after approval by the cabinet, the amendments would be presented to the parliament to meet constitutional requirements.

Others who spoke at the convention included Sardar Mohammad Yousaf, Zargut Khan, Kunwar Qutubuddin, Kunwar Arshad Ali, Ghaffar Qureshi, Pir Mohammad Khan, Mohammad Zahir Shah Khan, Noor Mohammad and Haleem Adil Shaikh.—APP/PPI