Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday said the government would increase the minimum wages and salaries and pensions of government servants in the next budget. He was addressing the labour leaders and representatives of the workers who had led a huge rally to the Parliament House to commemorate the sacrifices of the workers of Chicago on the occasion of the May Day here at the PM House.
Shaukat Aziz announced scholarships for the children of workers who get admission in institutes of higher learning on merit and assured them of addressing their concerns over the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002.
"The matter will be looked into and resolved through consensus," he added. He said the low-cost housing, medical and other facilities were being provided for the labour class that is playing a key role in Pakistan''s development.
Shaukat Aziz said the forthcoming budget will be a "Budget of workers and labours" and will cater to their needs.
The prime minister said seven years back the minimum wage was a mere Rs 1,500 and today it stands at Rs 4,000 per month. He, however, said owing to the improved economic conditions, the government would like to transfer the benefit to the lowest tiers of the society.
"In the next budget. we will increase the salaries of the government employees, the pensions and the minimum wages of the labours," he said amidst a loud applause. He said an ambitious programme to impart necessary skills for skilled manpower, particularly to the construction workers, has been launched, where they will also get a stipend during the six-month training.
The prime minister acknowledged the role the country''s labour was playing in its development, saying: "It all is due to the sheer hardwork and dedication to the hard work of our working class."
He said the government''s vibrant economic policies had started paying dividends and resources were now available for providing basic facilities and improving the living standards of the common man.
The prime minister also mentioned the record foreign direct investment (FDI) that was being injected into the country, saying several infrastructure development projects were underway, creating jobs and generating economic activity.
He also mentioned the National Internship Programme, under which the unemployed youth, having completed 16 years of education, will get Rs 10,000 per month for a year without any discrimination.
He said Pakistan''s skilled labour had earned a good repute across the world and was working on important projects. He saluted the working class that despite the challenges, it was toiling hard for Pakistan. He said he was well aware of the problems and plans were afoot to address these matters.
Shaukat Aziz referred to the bumper wheat crop expected this year and said it was all due to the hard work put in by the farmers through efficient use of fertilisers and with the blessings of Allah Almighty.
The prime minister said the government was maintaining a check on the prices of everyday commodities through its network of Utility Stores and providing these at subsidised rates. Labour Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said country''s labour class had deep political insight and always took the right decisions.
He said the Opposition tried in vain to bring the workers to the streets as they fully understand the economic revival that was underway and their long-overdue benefits were now being given.
He urged the prime minister to allay the concerns of the workers over the IRO-2002 and to increase the minimum wages. Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani and local PML leaders attended the gathering. Later, the prime minister met the labour leaders and representatives and enquired about their problems and heard their suggestions.
Comments
Comments are closed.