LAHORE: Workers have demanded the federal and provincial governments to increase minimum salaries and pension by 50 per cent for all employees in the public and private sectors in the forthcoming budget due to unprecedented price hike in the country.

The demands were made by All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions Secretary General Khursheed Ahmad at a press conference here at the Labour Hall on Wednesday.

He appealed to the prime minister and chief ministers of all provinces to raise the salaries and pensions of the employees in government, semi government departments and organisations, gas companies, Wapda, railways, industries, media and banks etc at the rate 50pc in the coming budget.

He also demanded regularisation of daily, contract, ad hoc labour, besides ensuring safety of workers at the workplace.

He urged the government to amend the law and lift the ban on trade unions in railway, electricity companies and Nadra.

The laws should be enacted in conformity with the ILO Convention 87 & 98 and fundamental rights ensured under Article 17 of the Constitution, he added.

He said the government should review the decision to privatise electricity and gas companies, PIA, railways and other public entities.

He demanded holding of a tripartite labour conference in conformity with the ILO Convention No 144 to enable workers to raise their voice in the policy-making bodies like the employers.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2024