Minimum wage for workers
THE federal cabinet has approved a new level of minimum monthly wages for unskilled workers —increasing it to Rs 2,500, inclusive of all allowances. A policy of reducing poverty through better paid work, rather than charity, is to be welcomed as a step towards enabling the state to fulfil obligations of social justice imposed by religion, constitution and international law (such as the UN Convention on Economic, Social & Political Rights).
But acclaim for this action needs to be tempered for a number of reasons. First, under existing law the minimum wage does not extend to the agricultural sector, and it is unclear whether it even applies to all labour — permanent and contract, regular and piece-rate — in all industrial and commercial establishments — large and small. A cabinet notification that the wage applies to all cannot substitute for amendments to the law if legal enforceability is really desired.
The lobby of big business was instrumental in keeping the wage increase below the recommendation of the Ministry of Labour. Their argument appears to have been that the new wage of Rs 2,500 is supposed to be net take home pay from a gross wage of Rs 4,500 that includes bonuses, profit shares, and payments deposited to government account as the employer’s contribution on account of provident fund, social security and the like.
Under present law, the vast majority of labour is excluded by law from the right to these benefits. It remains to be seen if then government will insist and employers will support universal enforcement of all these additional levies on behalf of labour, or ensure a correspondingly higher take home pay (upto Rs 4,500) for labour when employers do not make such contributions, or fail to give bonuses etc (for whatever reason).
For such labour as is excluded by these contributions by law or by noncompliance, a wage of Rs 2,500 remains much below any sensible poverty line. For example, poverty lines published by the Social Policy & Development Centre for 1996-97 imply a minimum income today of Rs 3,600 for a family of six persons and one earner at the consumption standards of rural households. Are low wages a devious way of liberating our women by increasing their participation in the labour market? It might be sobering to recognise that inadequate adult wages force families towards child labour.
Furthermore, even a crude adjustment for official inflation, since 1992 when the minimum wage was Rs 1500, would require a current take home pay of Rs 2,900. Assuming a compliance with the law on weekly paid holidays, the implied daily minimum wage is less than Rs 100, which is much smaller than the prevailing daily wage for unskilled labour reported in the official Economic Survey (daily wage of Rs 174 in Karachi and Rs 145 in Lahore).
Extension of minimum wage and of social security to all labour, and especially women workers in the informal sector, needs amendments to law. These can be easily derailed by the big business and anti-labour groups present within the cabinet itself.
Neither the cabinet, nor employer groups, have announced any new, effective mechanisms to enforce the minimum wage. Finally, no time frame has been given for provincial notification that is necessary for legal implementation across the country.
History warns us that no rights are ever achieved without a struggle of solidarity across all sections of society. The new minimum wage, even at Rs 2,500, will also not become a reality for most Pakistanis without sustained mobilization of labour. For those who believe that all human rights are for all persons, including women, there arise immense obligations to also speak and act against all oppressors of labour, including our own friends and families who treat agricultural labour and domestic servants as only marginally better than serfs.
ALY ERCELAWN
Karachi
US and the Muslim world
SEPTEMBER 11 was horrific and rightly condemned by all and sundry. There are no two opinions about it. However, the reaction, rather the over-reaction, of the western media and their leaders is quite intriguing.
To start with President Bush, in his haste for an impressive word, chose “crusade”, which set an anti-Arab and anti-Islamist mood in the nation. CNN did maximum damage by projecting day and night the Arab hijackers and other stories or terrorism by the Muslims all over the world, in general, and Arabs, in particular. In order to remind its viewers constantly, it started with an ever present banner “Attack on America” then changed it to “War on terror” which now reads “Strike against terror”.
Such projection by this powerful medium has resulted in numerous attacks on the lives and property of the American Muslims, including killing of a Sikh for his mistaken identity for Taliban. One wonders if it is just by default or a well-considered and planned design? Muslim workers are being laid off, as a first priority wherever laying off is needed. Muslim students are faring no better in their colleges and universities.
President Bush had to appear on TV to defend the American Muslims whom he called equally patriotic and loyal. But, did it have the desired effect? Apparently, not, The damage has been done to the degree that New York Mayor Giuliani has even spurned the 10 million dollars offered by a Saudi prince for the victims of the twin towers, just because the prince opined that the USA should change its policies towards to Middle East. Giuliani says that the prince had tried to justify the attack on WTC by suggesting so!
Little does Giuliani know that no less than a political pundit of the calibre of Henry Kissinger himself has in one of his recent articles strongly advised the US government to revise its foreign policies of which the most important factor should be to have better relations with the Islamic world.
Giuliani might have considered why the mighty USA should accept donations, when it can easily extort such amounts and many times more from them all, as it did after the Gulf war from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan, France and others. After all, the USA is not fighting terrorism for its sake only. It is engaged in a war against global terrorism and all nations of the world must pay their share. And pay they will whether they like it or not.
COL (R) RIAZ JAFRI
Rawalpindi
Mehran Town scheme
LAST June balloting for allotment of alternative plots to some applicants for land in Mehran Town Scheme (due to double allotment of land to Makhdoom Bilawal Housing Society in Sector 31 A Extension) was held by the Minister of Housing and Town Planning, Sindh. About 400 alternative plots were carved out in Sector 6 of Mehran Town scheme and the persons concerned were asked to deposit original allotment papers with the KDA. But they have not received the allotment of alternate plots yet.
The matter pertaining to the development of the Mehran Town Sector 6 allotted to over 3,500 overseas Pakistanis is also unsolved for over two decades now. As per condition, a bridge over the Malir river was to be constructed by the KDA to connect the Mehran Town scheme through Shaheed-i-Millat Road. The ill-fated Mehran Town scheme, the biggest ever for overseas Pakistanis for which they paid money in foreign exchange, is a victim of long neglect and delay.
The KDA claims to have spent money for development work but it is not visible. First, the digging of plots continued for taking the soil away and later, it was used as a land-filling site and the garbage of the whole city was dumped into the ditches. The movement of heavy vehicles for the said unauthorized work damaged the fragile road work and the sewerage system claimed to be laid by the KDA.
Furthermore, industrial plots were carved out of the peripheral roads and sold for setting up tanneries, fish-meal and poultry feed units. The garbage dumps from the city, fouling smell of tanneries, fish meal and poultry units has made this place filthy and unworthy for residential purpose.
In view of these problems and the constraints of KDA to provide more funds, a suggestion to convent Mehran Town Sector 6 into a cottage / small industry was forwarded. This is also valid in view of the fact that the scheme lies within Korangi Industrial Area. But no action has been taken so far by the authorities.
The Ministry of Environment, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Director General KDA and the Government of Sindh are requested to take immediate steps (i) to allot alternate plots to those concerned and (ii) convert and Mehran Town Sector 6 into small / cottage industry for which consent of the allottees has already been given to the KDA.
KHURSHEED-UD-DIN SYED
President, Mehran Town affectees
Karachi
D.G. Khan area’s problems
THE Koh-i-Suleman range lies north to south, in the west of Dera Ghazi Khan district. The people living in its surroundings are Baloch of many tribes. They have friendly relations with one another. They live on cattle breeding and cultivation. But even today, their living conditions are extremely pitiable.
There is an acute shortage of water for drinking as well as for irrigation purposes. There is no electricity, no telephones. There is a pathetic lack of physical and social infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, an industrial base, pervasive use of primitive and obsolete methods of cultivation. It is an endless story of perpetual miseries reflected in abysmal poverty.
The rural masses have been callously ignored in all walks of life. If nothing else is done, out of all amenities the people must have at least the privilege of a metalled road from Tehsil Taunsa Sharif (Punjab) to Tehsil Musa Khel (Balochistan).
It will not only be beneficial for the people of the tribal areas but also for the whole country because it will be the shortest and the easiest route between the two provinces.
I appeal to the president to pay immediate attention to change the destiny of the downtrodden and neglected people of the tribal areas of D.G. Khan who have been callously ignored for 54 years.
SHER MAST QAISRANI & TUMAN QAISARANI
D.G. Khan
Media power
I would like to congratulate Al-jazeera (Qatar-based) and ARY Digital (London-based) televisions for their coverage of the events in Afghanistan. Sadly PTV, with its three channels, has failed to show the real picture of these events.
Interestingly, the BBC, the CNN, Fox News etc., have been given guidelines preventing them from showing civilian casualties during the US air strikes. A top US official, Ms Rice, was quoted as saying that “all TV stations are ‘requested’ not to show Mr Bin Laden’s interviews run on the Al-jazeera TV, because they promote terrorism.”
During the media campaign related to ‘war on terrorism’ we, Pakistanis, are compelled to see news from the western TV stations because PTV is strictly under government control. The role of Al-jazeera and ARY Digital is commendable, especially that of ARY Digital as it is analysing the Pakistan-US situation and also the press reports daily. This kind of impartial news network is the need of the hour.
Can the Islamic world start a TV network which would represent them? It should be kept in mind that in this century, wars would be won on the media more often than on the ground.
EHSAN BHUTTA
Lahore
Afghanistan needs peace
WHY does the US want to destroy an already ruined country, Afghanistan, through a war? Why doesn’t the US go ahead for talks with the Talibans? As the Talibans have promised, they would hand over Osama if the US shows them solid evidence against him on the negotiation table.
Or, alternatively, they could wait till the installation of a broad-based government and the end of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
America should have some pity on the Afghan people who have not seen peace in their country for about 20 years. They don’t want to exist on food received as aid. They want to return to their homes and grow food for themselves.
I hope and pray that sanity prevails upon America and its allies.
MOHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA
Lahore
How to combat crime
WE are always blowing our own trumpet, calling ourselves the Islamic Republic. But when we go through the morning papers, we come across the news about murders, karo-kari, theft, car snatching, rape, etc., How much of all this is in conformity with the Islamic teachings?
It is imperative that the guilty must be arrested within the shortest possible time. Firm and decisive action is needed. An excellent beginning would be for the government to announce that the SHOs will be held responsible in case arrests and prosecution are not made within a prescribed period.
In the event of failure to meet the deadline, those concerned should at the very least be transferred forthwith, or preferably suspended from service. There should be a public announcement every month listing the heinous crimes committed and the remedial action taken.
S.A. KHOKHAR
Lahore
The extras!
THIS has reference to Mr Ameer Hamza’s letter, ‘Censor board’ (Oct 11). The writer seems to have been irked by the ad of a certain detergent company being shown on PTV; displaying 20 per cent extra in the pack. On her son’s inquiry as to what was “extra,” the mother tells him. “It is your phuphi (aunt) and dadi (grandmother).”
Mr Hamza has questioned: what is the Censor board doing?
In our present day society, somebody has to become ‘extra’ sometimes in his or her life-time.
To the chief executive, the senior citizens are ‘extra’ as are the phuphi and the dadi to a young mother. So what has the Censor board to do with this? It is the ‘extras’ who have to endure.
K.A. WAHID BUTT
Lahore
Power theft
PAKISTAN Army personnel had done a good job some time ago by raiding apartment buildings and houses in Clifton to locate power theft and disconnect illegal connections.
However, the Army has stopped this operation and many of the power thieves, who had not cleared even the earlier dues against them, have resumed their illegal use of electricity.
I request the Army and the KESC to re-start the raid operations and make sure that people pay their dues.
CLIFTON WALA
Karachi
Internet clubs in Islamabad
I want to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards what is happening in various Internet clubs in Islamabad. They are, in fact, engaged in promoting porn material. People of all age groups visit the net clubs but they mostly view porn sites and the owners of the clubs allow them to do so. It is not impossible to ban such sites as censor softwares are now available in the market.
I request the government to take necessary steps and ban such clubs which are morally destroying our people. I would also suggest to the parents who have PCs in their homes to buy censor softwares.
ALI FAHEEM
Islamabad
Single dish wedding dinner
WHEN the restriction was imposed on the wedding dinner, we were really happy as it was one of the major items of expenditure in any marriage ceremony. But now I wonder if this restriction has played a positive role or has created more problems for a middle class person.
It is common observation that despite the ban, one has to entertain the guests under the cover of a birthday or an ‘aqiqa’ ceremony. And it is as lavish as before.
I think it would suit every one, especially the bride’s father, if a single dish wedding dinner is allowed.
TOOBA YASIN
Karachi
Mental health
AT A seminar recently held in connection with the World Mental Health Day, one of the participants, Prof Musarrat of JPMC, said that there were two types of sick people: one were those who thought they were sick and the other were those who thought that others were sick while they were OK.
He added that terrorism also leads to psychological illness. He was also of the opinion that the war syndrome and mass killings are not good for mental health.
ANAS A. KHAN
Karachi
The right way to tackle the Afghan issue
THE current Afghan situation looks bleak but, may be, there is a silver lining, provided it is handled tactfully by the leaders involved.
As we know, once the Russians left Afghanistan, the world had lost interest in that country. It was left to itself and that resulted in infighting among the various Mujahideen groups. Out of this chaos emerged the Taliban as the only stabilizing force.
But they had a primitive, puritanical mindset. Yet the war weary Afghans accepted them because they represented peace and stability after more than a decade of war. The vast majority of Muslims of the world disagreed with the brand of Islam that the Taliban practised and condemned some of the actions taken by them which maligned the image of Islam.
May be this time round the world community, having learned a lesson, would make up for the past mistake. Once the strikes on Afghanistan are over, the Coalition and Muslim states, including Pakistan, will hopefully work for a representative and moderate government in Afghanistan.
But this in itself would not be enough. Financial and technical support would also be needed for reconstruction in Afghanistan and to enable it to make it stand on its own feet. If all this is achieved without too much loss of blood, it would really be a success.
Here, a parallel can be drawn from the results of the different treatments given to Germany after its defeats in WW-I and WW-II. Leaving Germany to its fate after WW-I, resulted in the emergence of the Nazi monster that threatened the whole world.
But humane treatment and assistance in reconstruction work extended to Germany after WW-II made it a peaceful, progressive country that is friendly towards its erstwhile foes and is a source of stability in the region.
The situation in Afghanistan calls for a repeat of such statesmanship on the part of the US and its affluent allies. Such a step would also result in a lessening and ultimate elimination of the air of mistrust existing between the West and the Muslims.
In fact, this should be the strategy for a durable success in what has been proclaimed as a ‘war against terrorism’, and not the invasion of Afghanistan.
ASIM VARDAG
Karachi