ISLAMABAD: The Central Minister for Labour and Works, Mr Mohammad Hanif, today [Aug 23] announced further reforms in the labour laws, embracing areas and fields where they were not applicable before. …[T]he Minister said that in formulating these reforms, full advantage has been taken of the views expressed in the recently concluded tripartite labour conference… .

… Giving the main features of the latest reforms, the Labour Minister said that the Factories Act, 1934, was now being made applicable to establishments employing 10 or more workers. Moreover, the Provincial Governments were being empowered to extend the provisions of the Factories Act wherever feasible.

The number of annual holidays were also being increased. The Act would also be amended to provide for better health and safety measures, annual holidays, casual festival and medical leaves with pay to mine-workers. The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, would be amended to cover the workers receiving monthly wages up to 1000 rupees. … The benefits of West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968, would be extended to the workers of an establishment which employs 20 or more workers.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2022