TOBA TEK SINGH: A large number of industrial workers participated in a rally and public meeting on Wednesday in Faisalabad in the Sadhar industrial area.

The event, by the Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) and the Haqooq-i-Khalq Party (HKP), took place under scorching heat.

In his address, LQM Chairman and HKP Punjab President Baba Latif Insari criticised the government for neglecting workers’ interests in the budget, instead imposing a burden of taxes on them. He said the announced minimum wage of Rs37,000 was insufficient and expressed concerns about the proposed Uniform Labour Code (ULC) bill to be introduced in Punjab and Sindh.

He warned this law would lead to the end of permanent jobs and legalise the anti-worker contract system, vowing to launch a movement against it across the country.

HKP Central President Farooq Tariq also criticised the ULC, stating it would harm trade unions the most. He said the law would strip trade unions of their right to strike and abolish the right to strike for employees in essential public services such as Wapda, hospitals, railways and airports. He accused the government of attempting to strengthen factory owners’ favoured trade unions and vowed, “We will not fall into their trap and will launch a country-wide movement against this proposed law.”

General Secretary Muzammal Kakar said the state demands taxes from workers but fails to provide corresponding facilities. He highlighted the lack of support for workers in hospitals and criticised the government’s neglect of health, education, and employment.He denounced the proposed ULC bill as a conspiracy against workers, which would shift the responsibility of protecting workers from employers to contractors, absolving employers of all responsibilities. He suggested taxing the elite people instead of burdening the common man.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2024