We are celebrating May Day with a resolve to reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of labour and to pay tribute to the valiant and heroic struggle of the workers of Chicago who sacrificed their lives for the fundamental rights of their fellow workers.
Labour, no doubt, is the backbone of the industry and keep its wheel running. It is the worker community, who due to hard work, have enabled the economy to maintain high economic growth, massive production and high levels of productivity. The Government believes in the dignity of labour and believes that a prosperous workforce can enable Pakistan to compete in a globalise market environment.
Pakistan Peoples' Party is striving devotedly for the rights and welfare of workers since its inception. It was the PPP government which for the first time observed Labour Day in Pakistan. The Pakistan Peoples' Party, during the seventies, initiated various pro-labour measures and policies for amelioration of the working community, provided pensioner benefits to workers, increased workers' share in companies' profits, launched various labour welfare schemes and promoted workers' participation in the management.
Underlining the importance of peace, tranquillity and better working conditions at the workplace, social dialogue through tripartism and decent work, the present Government introduced a number of revolutionary steps in the Labour Policy 2010. The major initiatives are as follows: - (a) Minimum wage for unskilled labour has been enhanced from Rs 4600 per month to Rs 7000 per month. (b) Workers have been given share in state enterprises, (c) reinstatement of sacked employees/workers has been ensured under the Sacked Employees (Reinstatement) Act 2010, (d) a large number of labour welfare schemes have been introduced for workers and their children, (e) medical coverage has been expanded and (f) employees old age pension has been enhanced to Rs 3000 per month.
Employees and employers are partners in the production process and their co-ordination and co-operation is the need of the hour for industrial peace and harmony to ensure optimal utilisation of their energies for socio-economic development of the country.
On this occasion, I urge employees end employers across the country to come forward and play their role in making Pakistan a prosperous country. May Allah Almighty be with us in our endeavours, Ameen!
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