ISLAMABAD: Low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, lack of job security and inadequate access to healthcare and social protection are major challenges for the labour force.

This was highlighted in a message issued by Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) for World Labour Day, which is being observed on Monday (today).

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has also decided to hold events in connection with the World Labour Day.

In a meeting chaired by the party’s secretary general, Asad Umar, in Islamabad, it was decided that members will hold walks across the country.

The meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary General Umar Ayub, President North Punjab Amir Mehmood Kiani and President Islamabad Ali Nawaz Awan.

It was decided that PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead a march from Chandni Chowk to Committee Chowk at 1:30pm on Monday (today).

Meanwhile, General Secretary of Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) Chaudhry Mohammad Yaseen, in his message in connection with the day, said the PWF would like to highlight the importance of protecting rights and improving working conditions of workers in Pakistan.

“Our workers are the backbone of our country’s economy and are crucial to its progress and development. However, many of them face numerous challenges such as low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, lack of job security, and inadequate access to healthcare and social protection.

“PWF is a representative organisation of workers in Pakistan and working for the betterment of workers and protects their rights. PWF continues to struggle for organising informal economy workers and registration of workers in Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and social security,” he said.

“PWF believes in negotiation and resolution of workers’ issues through social dialogue. We call upon the government of Pakistan to prioritise workers’ rights and welfare by enforcing labour laws and regulations and ensuring that all workers have access to decent work, social protection, and healthcare,” he added.

“Furthermore, we urge the international community to support our efforts to improve the working conditions and rights of workers in Pakistan. We need global support to achieve our goal of creating a fair and just working environment for all workers,” he said.

Mr Yaseen said that on labour day, people should remember the struggles and sacrifices of workers.

“Let us stand in solidarity with one another and continue their legacy by fighting for the rights of workers in Pakistan. We demand from the prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the minister of human resource development and overseas Pakistanis and other relevant officials to take initiatives for the implementation of labour laws and give legal protection to workers of the informal economy. Necessary amendment in labour laws with consultation of stakeholders and prompt social dialogue. Tripartite Labour Conference will be held as soon as possible,” he said.

While Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stopped PTI from holding rallies on Word Labour Day, the party has criticised the decision and decided to write to ECP asking it to be allowed to hold rallies as per routine.

Fawad Chaudhry, in a video statement, criticised the direction of the ECP and said that it was strange that while solidarity was being shown with the labourers of Chicago across the globe, in Pakistan political parties were being stopped from holding rallies.

“We are writing to the ECP to allow us to hold rallies on Monday (today) as it is for the rights of labourers across the country,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2023