LAHORE: A high-level delegation of the National Labour Federation (NLF) Pakistan, led by its President Shamsur Rehman Swati, called on Punjab Labour Minister Khawaja Manshaullah Butt and urged the provincial government to immediately increase the minimum wage, withdraw controversial amendments in labour laws and make labour governance more effective.
The delegation included NLF Secretary General Chaudhry Haseebur Rehman, Central Punjab Region President Amin Minhas and Lahore President Syed Abdul Aziz Shigri.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on key issues being faced by workers across Punjab, including labour laws, minimum wage, social security, labour inspection and industrial relations.
The delegation drew the minister’s attention to the fact that the minimum wage had not been increased in the recent budget, which, it said, had caused serious disappointment and unrest among the working class. It said rising inflation and the continuous increase in electricity, gas and essential commodity prices had made life extremely difficult for labour families.
The NLF demanded an immediate and realistic increase in the minimum wage so that workers could secure their right to a dignified life.
The delegation also stressed that assistance being provided by the government through ration cards, subsidies and other social welfare schemes should be merged into the wage system. It said equivalent financial resources should be included in the minimum wage so that workers could benefit directly, transparency could be ensured in the relief mechanism, and all avenues of corruption and political interference could be closed.
NLF President Shamsur Rehman Swati also presented detailed reservations over controversial provisions included in the draft Punjab Labour Code. He said these provisions restricted freedom of unionisation, weakened the right to collective bargaining, provided legal cover to informal employment, and affected workers’ basic rights through definitions and categories of employers.
He said the workers’ group had also expressed serious concerns over these provisions at the recent International Labour Conference of the ILO, after which representatives of the federal government had assured that the controversial provisions would be reviewed and withdrawn.
The delegation also called for strengthening the labour inspection system in Punjab, strict implementation of occupational safety and health laws, modernising labour governance and taking immediate and effective steps to enhance the capacity of the Labour Department.
The provincial labour minister listened to the delegation’s proposals and demands and assured them that the demand for an increase in the minimum wage would be strongly placed before the Punjab chief minister.
He further said the concerns of labour organisations regarding the Punjab Labour Code, improvement in the labour inspection system and other related matters would be taken up at appropriate forums, and necessary steps would be taken in the light of practicable recommendations.
The National Labour Federation Pakistan expressed the hope that the Punjab government would give priority to the legitimate demands of workers and take practical measures to ensure economic security, social justice and effective protection of their constitutional and legal rights.
