ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with the rest of the world, is marking International Labour Day today to recognize and appreciate the vital role played by workers.
The day is observed to highlight the efforts and dedication of the labour force, raise awareness about their rights, and ensure they are protected from exploitation.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged all stakeholders, including business leaders and industrialists, to respect and safeguard the rights and dignity of workers across the country.
In their separate messages for International Labour Day, they emphasized that a nation that protects its workers, protects its future. They also noted that empowering labour is key to achieving lasting national strength.
President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding international labour standards and promoting basic rights at work. These include fair wages, social protection, eliminating forced and child labour, and ensuring equality without discrimination.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan’s workforce, both within the country and overseas, reflects the nation’s skill, hard work, and professionalism.
He added that institutions such as the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution and the Workers Welfare Fund are working to support workers and their families by offering pensions, housing, education, and other essential services.
Meanwhile, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain announced that industrial workers in Islamabad will soon be allotted houses and flats on merit.
In his Labour Day message, he outlined various steps taken by the government to support and protect workers.
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He shared that more than 762,000 Pakistanis have been provided employment opportunities abroad, contributing to remittances reaching around forty billion dollars. He also mentioned new job opportunities created through agreements with countries including Italy, Qatar, South Korea, and Belarus.
The minister said financial assistance has been increased, with the marriage grant raised from four hundred thousand rupees to six hundred thousand rupees, and the death grant increased from eight hundred thousand rupees to one million rupees.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain stated that the welfare of workers remains a top priority for the government.
He added that practical steps have been taken both within the country and internationally to protect workers’ rights. By ratifying key conventions of the International Labour Organization, Pakistan aims to ensure fundamental rights for all workers.
He also noted that this day serves as a reminder of the workers involved in the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, who sacrificed their lives while fighting for their rights, and he paid tribute to their contribution to the global labour movement.