LAHORE: In a strong joint appeal ahead of the federal budget, labour rights organisations and trade unions under the banner of the Asia Floor Wage Alliance-Pakistan Partners have demanded the government fix the minimum monthly wage at Rs80,000, warning that the current wage structure has “institutionalised poverty” for millions of workers across the country.

Addressing the government, policymakers, employers, international brands, and the public, the alliance, in a press conference here on Friday, said that the process of determining the minimum wage should not remain a routine annual exercise but it must instead be treated as a matter of “social justice, human dignity, and economic equality.”

The organisations highlighted the severe financial hardships faced by workers due to rising inflation, expensive food items, soaring electricity and gas bills, increasing transport fares, unaffordable housing, and growing healthcare and education costs. They argued that the existing minimum wage was far below the actual living requirements of working families that failed to ensure a dignified standard of life.

The alliance stressed that minimum wages must be linked to real living costs, including food, housing, healthcare, education, transportation, social protection, and emergency savings. It said the workers who continued to earn below a living wage remain trapped in debt, insecurity, and economic vulnerability despite full-time employment.

Referring to estimates by labour rights groups, they maintained that existing wage levels were insufficient for an average household and called for a transparent, rights-based wage determination system based on inflation, family size, and essential living expenses.

The labour groups also highlighted the gender impact of low wages, stating that women disproportionately bore the burden through unpaid domestic and care work, which effectively subsidised the economy.

Criticising international brands sourcing products from Pakistan, the alliance said global buyers must adopt fair pricing and responsible purchasing practices instead of shifting cost pressures onto workers while continuing to earn large profits from supply chains.

The organisations further demanded that pensions for industrial garment workers be increased to match the minimum wage, terming the current pension of Rs11,000 “deplorably low” and insufficient for a dignified life after retirement.

They also urged the government to ensure subsidised essential commodities in industrial areas so that workers could access affordable food, utilities, and daily necessities.

They concluded by saying that the upcoming wage determination process in Punjab and across Pakistan must move away from “poverty-based calculations” and toward a system that might guarantee dignity, security, equality, and a fair share in the wealth generated by workers’ labour.

The appeal was endorsed by Niaz Khan of Textile Powerloom Garment Workers Federation, Hanif Ramay of Muttahida Labour Federation (MLF), Zafar Malik of Aaghaz Foundation, Syeda Ghulam Fatima of Bonded Labour Liberation Front and others.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026