LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s standing committee on labour and human resource has expressed serious concern over the non-functional status of the labour court despite approval of the relevant bill, directing the labour department to make the court operational within two weeks and submit a compliance report to the committee.
The committee, which met under the chairmanship of MPA Amjad Ali Javed, observed that the department appeared unaware of the difficulties being faced by workers due to the non-functioning of the labour court. The committee directed the department to ensure implementation of labour laws and protection of workers’ rights, besides taking measures for timely payment of wages to workers across the province.
The committee also questioned the labour department about measures taken to safeguard the health of industrial workers and sought details of salary payments to workers employed under the Suthra Punjab programme and other departments. It further asked whether workers across Punjab were being paid wages in accordance with the minimum wage fixed by the government.
The committee directed that workers’ salaries should be paid through bank accounts across the province to ensure transparency and timely disbursement.
Regarding provision of medical facilities to workers, the committee decided to summon the health department authorities at its next meeting to brief members on the measures being taken for workers’ healthcare.
Members of the provincial assembly, secretary labour and human resource and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026