QUETTA: Like elsewhere across the world, International Labour Day was observed with enthusiasm and a renewed sense of purpose across various parts of Balochistan on Friday.

The day, which commemorates the historic struggle of workers for their rights, saw rallies, demonstrations, and awareness campaigns organised in multiple districts, including the provincial capital, Quetta. The events were spearheaded by trade unions, labour associations, and civil society organisations, drawing participation from workers belonging to diverse sectors.

Marchers carried banners and placards highlighting their demands for fair wages, improved working conditions, job security, and access to comprehensive social protection systems. Speakers at these gatherings stressed the urgent need for enforcing labour laws and ensuring that workers receive their due rights without discrimination or delay.

Participants also voiced concerns about rising inflation, unemployment, and the lack of adequate safety measures in many workplaces. They called upon both the provincial and federal governments to take concrete steps to address these challenges and to formulate policies that prioritise the welfare and dignity of the labour force.

CM Bugti calls workers society’s backbone

The observance of the day reflected a broader commitment among stakeholders to safeguard the rights and entitlements of workers, while also recognising their indispensable contribution to economic growth and societal development.

Amid these public demonstrations and calls for reform, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti issued a comprehensive message underscoring the critical role of workers as the backbone of society and a driving force behind sustainable progress and prosperity.

In his statement, released by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on the eve of International Labour Day, CM Bugti described the occasion as a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work, honesty, and perseverance. He emphasised that the provincial government was taking practical and targeted measures to protect workers’ rights and enhance their overall welfare.

He reiterated that providing better employment opportunities, ensuring safe and secure working environments, and offering essential facilities to workers remain top priorities of his administration. The chief minister noted that several initiatives were underway to strengthen labour protections and improve access to healthcare, housing, and education for workers and their families.

Highlighting a landmark development, CM Bugti revealed that, for the first time in Balochistan’s history, children of workers have been enrolled in leading educational institutions across the country. He described this initiative as a transformative step towards breaking the cycle of poverty and creating new avenues of social mobility.

“A worker’s child will not remain confined to the same hardships but will have every opportunity to excel and progress in life,” he stated, expressing confidence that education would serve as a powerful tool for empowerment.

The chief minister further stressed the importance of collective efforts involving the government, private sector, and civil society to uplift the living standards of workers. He noted that International Labour Day symbolises not only the historic struggle against exploitation but also a continued commitment to building a fair and just society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

Reaffirming his government’s vision, CM Bugti said that ensuring dignity, protection, and hope for every worker and farmer remains central to Balochistan’s development agenda. He added that empowering the labour force would enable them to become active and valued contributors to the province’s economic and social progress.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026