PESHAWAR: The International Labour Day was marked across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday amid calls for labour reforms, especially better wages and improved working conditions.

During rallies and other events, political parties, government bodies and non-governmental organisations showed solidarity with the working class.

Noted members of society took to social media to share their thoughts on the significance of labour.

In Peshawar, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, under the leadership of MPA Tariq Awan, staged a rally from the press club to the Governor’s House.

Political parties, govt bodies, NGOs show solidarity with workers

Mr Awan underscored the indispensable role of laborers in society, who, he said, are the bedrock upon which all progress, both conceptual and tangible, is built.

Khyber tribal district witnessed a significant demonstration of support as the district administration organised a rally, led by additional assistant commissioner of LandikotalShahabuddin and tehsil council chairman Shah Khalid.

Traders and civil society members joined the participants, carrying banners and shouting slogans for the cause of labourers and expressing solidarity with them.

In Mardan, deputy commissioner Dr Azmatullah Wazir addressed a ceremony in a Baghdada school and emphasised the need for safeguarding the rights of workers.

He pledged to dedicate all available resources to addressing the workers’ issues effectively.

The City Traffic Police in Peshawar distributed lunchboxes and water bottles to laborers across the capital city.

Traffic police chief Haroon Rasheed highlighted the labourers’ rights and stressed the collective responsibility to uphold them.

The health department hosted a ceremony that brought together secretary of the Workers Welfare Board Tufail Khattak, presidents of worker unions, owners of factories and a large number of labourers, fostering dialogue and recognising their contributions.

NGO Youth Leadership Forum held a ceremony to underscore the vital role of labourers in society.

Speakers said the tireless efforts of labourers were the driving force behind progress and development in communities.

The forum urged young leaders to commit to championing workers’ rights, promoting dignity in labour and striving to create a future where every contribution is valued and celebrated, envisioning a better tomorrow built on the foundation of respect and recognition for all workers.

Addressing a function of the Peoples Labour Bureau at Nishtar Hall in connection with the International Labour Day, PPP Secretary General Mohammad Hamayun Khan said whenever the party came to power, it had taken steps for bringing improvement in the life of labourers.

He said the PPP government in the 2008-13 period, had taken revolutionary steps of increasing the salaries of public sector employees by 170 per cent, announcing the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and enacting the 18th Constitutional Amendment to guarantee provincial autonomy and granting rights over resources to federating units.

PPP provincial president Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha lambasted the “anti-people” policies of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said the party was set to launch a mass protest against the “anti-people” government in the province.

He said the protest would include a sit-in outside the provincial assembly and major highways to create public awareness about the “inept and corrupt” government in the province.

The participants adopted resolutions, demanding a 100 per cent increase in the salaries of government employees and a hike in the monthly minimum wage to Rs50,000. —

OUR CORRESPONDENTS ADD: Coal miners and labour rights activists staged a protest at the Alpuri Chowk in Shangla district on Thursday, calling for an increase in daily wages and improved safety conditions in coal mines across the region.

The demonstration, held on the eve of International Labour Day, was organized by the Pakistan Central Mines Labor Federation (PCMFL), Shangla Coalmine Workers association, and Darra Adamkhel Mines Labour Union.

Scores of workers, students, social activists and community leaders from Shangla Belle Baba area participated in a walk and rally.

Carrying placards and chanting slogans, they demanded that the government raise the minimum wage to Rs37,000 per month and ensure the registration of all coal workers under labour and social security laws.

PCMFL provincial leader Ali Bash Khan urged authorities to recognise contract labour practices as exploitative and take immediate action to eliminate them.

He emphasised the need for labour reforms, especially in the mining sector.

An awareness walk was taken out in Chitral on Thursday followed by a seminar that highlighted the importance of Labour Day.

Organised by the district administration, the walk was led by assistant commissioner Mohammad Aftab Munir. It passed through the Shahi Qila Road and ended at the Town hall where a seminar was held.

The labourers, including daily wagers, turned up in large numbers. Certificates for good performance were distributed to them.

Speakers Aftab Munir, Noor Ahmad Khan and Imran Khan highlighted the importance of labourers, who, they said, did the toughest work for meagre payments.

The Pakistan Workers Federation observed Labour Day in Swabi.

Holding banners and shouting slogans, participants marched on various roads and in markets in the district headquarters.

They opposed the government’s move to “privatise” departments.

Pakistan Workers Federations central president Shaukat Ali Anjum said the ruling class was depriving workers of their rights.

The Sada-i-Kohat organised a Labour Day function at Bacha Khan Library in Kohat, where the deputy commissioner was the chief guest and labourers the guests of honour.

Such functions were also held by the Lachi and Gumbat tehsil municipal administrations.

The deputy commissioner announced that complaint boxes would be installed at different places to receive the workers’ complaints for action by authorities.

A seminar was organised by the Pakistan National Labour Federation, Dera Ismail Khan chapter, at the Community Centre in the Haq Nawaz Park, where labour leaders, workers and government officials showed up.

Additional deputy commissioner Farhan Khan said efforts would be made to resolve the workers’ issues at the local level.

“Our doors are always open for workers,” he said, adding that the issues requiring attention at the provincial level would be taken up with the relevant authorities.

The Labour Day was also observed in Bajaur tribal district, with events and walks raising awareness about workers’ rights and issues.

The main event was held at the district administration’s Jirga Hall in Civil Colony, Khar, with the district administration and Pakistan Red Crescent Society being the joint host.

Representatives of the administration, PRCS, Civil Defence and TMA, daily- wage workers, TMA workers, and students attended the event.

Students delivered speeches and recited poems highlighting the significance, history and theme of the Labour Day.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2025