LAHORE: Punjab Labour Minister Ansar Majeed Niazi has promised a new comprehensive labour policy for the province soon.

The new policy would ensure implementation of labour laws and security of industrial workers’ right, he said after a departmental briefing here on Tuesday.

He claimed that practical initiatives to be taken by the government would prove to be “a milestone” in labour welfare.

During the briefing, he was informed that in 2018 so far 3,259 factories in Lahore division had been registered, whereas total number of the registered workers was 305,812. Similarly, so far 999 factories and industrial units had been inspected and cases lodged against 4,237 units for violations of laws and a sum of Rs1.28 million was recovered as fines.

Similarly, during the year 206,567 shops and other establishments were registered, whereas cases against 10,839 were instituted during inspection of 51,798 shops and other establishments.

Punjab Employees Social Security Institute officials told the minister that over Rs1bn medical cover and cash benefits were provided to the employees of registered industrial, commercial and other establishments during the year.

He was told that the Lahore division Pessi had five social security directorates, four hospitals, three medical directorates, 12 medical centres, 22 dispensaries and eight emergency centres. Whereas, there was also one Punjab Social Security Health Management Hospital at Manga, Raiwind Road.

A plan to receive online contributions and online disbursement of cash benefits to the registered employees was also under way, the minister was told.

He was also informed that at least 678 brick kilns were inspected and cases against 2,246 employers were instituted.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2018