PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the quarters concerned to form a committee headed by additional chief secretary with representation of all the relevant departments to come up with workable proposals to form a uniform policy for the wellbeing of labourers.

He stressed the need for devising a comprehensive strategy backed by a uniform legal and policy framework for the wellbeing of labourers in the province and protection of their basic rights, according to a statement.

The chief minister has also directed the officials concerned to expedite work on computerised data collection of labourers across the province and work on drastic reforms in the affairs of labour department with special focus on Workers Welfare Board in order to make it an effective body to ensure protection of the basic rights of workers.

He was chairing a meeting to review the overall progress of labour department. Provincial Minister for Labour Shaukat yousfzai, Additional Chief Secretary Shakil Qadir, Finance Secretary Atif Rehman, Principal Secretary to CM Shahab Ali Shah, labour secretary and other high ups attended the meeting.

Mahmood Khan orders formation of panel to present proposals

The meeting was briefed about the steps taken for the welfare of labourers, fixation of minimum wages for them, progress on their data collection, matters related to regularisation of the contract employees of Workers Welfare Board and many other matters.

The provincial minister informed the chief minister about the issues faced by labourers working in different types of mines due to the existence of various laws and policies under different departments.

The chief minister directed the high ups of the departments concerned to review the existing laws and policies governing the matters of labourers and come up with proposals for a single and inclusive policy under a single department to facilitate the labourers.

Mahmood Khan said that protection of the basic rights of labourers and their wellbeing were top priorities of the government.

He said that government was committed to protecting the rights of labourers.

He added that result-oriented steps were being taken for welfare of the workers.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2020