KARACHI, May 1: A roundtable dialogue held in connection with the May Day on Saturday night demanded fixing of minimum wages of a worker equivalent to one tola (12 grams) of gold. One of the resolutions adopted on the occasion demanded that rights of women workers be respected and stern action be taken against those indulged in child labour.

The dialogue was organized under the auspices of the PML-N on the subject: Claims of Economic Progress of the Country vis-à-vis Situation of Poverty, Price-hike and Unemployment.

Presided over by PML-N Vice-President Mushahidullah Khan and conducted by Nasir Mehmood, the dialogue was addressed by Shahid Hasan Siddiqui, an economist, Mamnoon Hussain, chief organiser of the party in Sindh, and Dr Qaiser Bengali.

The resolution demanded repeal of the IRO-2002, Presidential Ordinance-2000 on dismissal of employment and all other anti-labour laws.

It called for the restoration of the IRO-1969 and constitution of a high-powered commission on permanent basis with retired judges of high courts, members of parliament, labour leaders and the government representatives as its members.

This commission, it said, be assigned the task of reviewing the Banking Companies Ordinance-1962 and Civil Servants Tribunal Act-1973 for recommending amendment to labour laws with a view to protect interests of workers.

It stressed that without full participation of workers in national progress, the dream of economic prosperity of the country could not come true.

Another resolution called for protection to the life and property of people in order to restore peace which could attract massive investment in the country. This would also generate employment opportunities for youth and other people, it maintained.

It further stressed that government functionaries be refrained from harassing investors so that industrial activities could get a boost.

Yet another resolution demanded complete job security to all workers and an immediate halt to employers’ practices which would compel an employee to quit his organization.

Participants of the dialogue also called for holding referendums in every institution where the CBA had completed its tenure. This, they maintained, would rid workers of ‘pocket unions’ and help promote healthy trade union activities.

Speakers on the occasion said that the best way to pay tributes to the martyrs of Chicago was to pursue a joint struggle with the pledged to offer every sacrifice for the restoration of due rights of workers.

Mushahidullah Khan deplored that our rulers had no interest in resolving the problems being faced by working class, rather, he added, they appeared instrumental in multiplying the problems.

Dr Shahid Hasan Siddiqui termed all claims of economic progress by the rulers ‘farce’ which had no relevance with ground realities. He said that 45 per cent of Pakistan’s population lived beyond poverty line and millions more were facing unemployment.

Dr Qaiser Bengali described that privatization of the KESC and Habib Bank as a ‘national crime’.

Mr Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan could not achieve progress in real terms until it workers and farmers got prosper. “Repeated military intervention is mother of all evils,” he remarked, adding that this did not allow civil governments to work.