LAHORE, Nov 16: The Muttahida Labour Federation has demanded enforcement of labour laws on informal sector, fixation of minimum wage at Rs5,000 and lifting of curbs on collective bargaining.
Adopting resolutions at a meeting held here on Sunday with Altaf Baloch in the chair, the federation pointed out that thousands of agriculture, domestic and shops workers were deprived of fundamental rights like minimum wages and eight hours working day for lack of law enforcement and restrictions on formation of trade unions.
Workers were being forced to work for 12 hours a day without payment of even minimum wages due to lack of enforcement of labour laws in the informal sector.
By another resolution, the federation called for increasing the minimum wage from Rs2,500 to Rs5,000 in view of increase in cost of living.
The MLF leaders were of the view that increase in minimum wages had become due after 100 percent increase in pay and allowances of legislators. The federation also stressed the need for regularization of workers engaged on contract and daily wage basis against permanent posts.
It expressed concern over inordinate delay in bringing the Industrial Relations Ordinance in conformity with the International Labour Organization Conventions despite an assurance given by the government to the ILO.
Participants of the convention opined that drastic amendments were necessary to the IRO which had been promulgated to cripple trade unions and deprive the workers of their fundamental human rights.
The federation also called for decreasing the number of government pay scales from 22 to four or five besides bridging the gap between the pay and allowances of employees of the lowest and the highest pay scales. It also stressed the need for withdrawal of perks allowed to the employees drawing the highest salaries so that they, too, could learn to live within their means.
Expressing a grave concern over the fast growing unemployment, the federation called for formulation of policies aimed at creating job opportunities.
The MLF stressed the need for fundamental changes in the existing education system which was increasing the number of educated unemployed youths whose services were not in demand anywhere.
Only those subjects should be taught in colleges and universities which were in demand in the job market, it stressed. Increase in vocational training facilities was also emphasized to impart skills to the youth for self-employment.
The federation also called for measures to protect the rights of working women and checking employment of child labour in trade and industry.
The government was also urged to direct the Labour department officials to ensure that women were paid pay and allowances at par with their male counterparts. Industrialists and shop owners employing child labour should be penalized to discourage the exploitation of children, it added.