President General Pervez Musharraf has reaffirmed Pakistan's belief in the dignity of labour and assured the working community of the government's commitment to the cause of labour and improvement in the economic conditions of workers.
"I would like to assure the working community that the government is committed to the cause of labour and is taking all possible steps to improve the economic conditions for workers," he said in a message to the nation on the occasion of May Day.
The President resolved to create a work culture, which is mutually beneficial and ideologically based on eternal principles of Islam.
He expressed his deepest appreciation of the tremendous contribution by Pakistani workers in the socio-economic turnaround of the country in the recent years.
"While their discipline and devotion have paved the way for industrial growth and progress at home, it has also earned great respect for them abroad, he observed.
Good labour management relations have played a vital role in maximising production and productivity from our national resources making Pakistan, one of the fastest growing economies of the world, he remarked.
Islam, President Musharraf said, enjoins upon employers to ensure workers welfare and expects the workers to meet their obligations with diligence, sincerity and honesty.
"The spirit of reciprocity of rights and obligations is the cornerstone of an employer-worker relationship in an enlightened Islamic society.
"We need to imbibe this spirit and build synergies for an all-inclusive progress on the socio-economic front."
President Musharraf urged all workers and employers to come forward and play their vital role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
"Let us on this day pledge to join hands for the common goal of a prosperous and strong Pakistan. May Allah Almighty be our Guide. Ameen!".
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the government is fully alive to the needs and aspirations of the workers.
"Tangible measures have been taken to provide an enabling policy and a legislative environment for elimination of forced and child labour, as well as discrimination and exploitation from our labour sector", he said in a message to the nation on the occasion of May Day. The Prime Minister said government intends to extend the benefits of these initiatives to workers engaged in informal and agriculture sector.
The government has also devised a comprehensive Decent Work Country Programme with the objective to promote a social dialogue amongst the stakeholders, enhance employment and improve working and living conditions for workers as well as their families.
"We are celebrating May Day with the international community in memory of the scarifies of the Chicago workers, which they rendered for the cause of working people," he said.
"This Day reminds us of the dignity of labour and role of the working classes in the socio-economic development of a nation", he said "We acknowledge that our assiduous labour force has proactively participated in all economic endeavors in recent years."
He said their maturity and positive approach towards issues and challenges that have propped up in the wake of globalisation on the international level and economic revival on the national level have certainly made a valuable contribution towards the development of economy.
The spirit of trilateralism, dialogue and accommodation has paid dividends in terms of increased investment, greater employment and enhanced productivity, he said.
Pakistan is emerging as a progressive and dynamic society on the international scene. While this brings many laurels for us, it also requires putting in our best efforts towards national economic endeavor.
"I, therefore, urge the work force to continue to work with zeal and perseverance to increase their productivity for the prosperity and economic wellbeing of the country. The government will continue to support their legitimate cause. I wish every one of them a prosperous, health and happy life", Prime Minister said.
Sindh Minister for Labour, Transport and Industries Muhammad Adil Siddiqi on Sunday said the World Labour Day '1st May' reminded dignity and worth of labour because their role and rights were irrefutable, even in the modern times.
In a message on World Labour Day, he said all possible resources were being applied by the present regime for welfare of labour in the country and several projects were being executed to accomplish the same goal.
He said several projects, including construction and expansion of labour colonies, declare minimum labour wages, increase the grant for wedding of their daughters, construction of model schools for their children, establishing vocational training centers to impart training to them and provision of better medical facilities to them under Social security scheme, were being discussed for providing relief to the labours.
The minister was of the view that Labour Day provides opportunities to the entire world to highlight the importance of labours.
He urged labours to get maximum advantages from the facilities and relief provided to them through labour laws.
The minister also urged the employers to cooperate with the government for safety of labour rights.
He said the government was determined to provide healthy environment to labour to enable them to discharge their duties efficiently for strengthening provincial economy.
The government has decided to enhance death grant, marriage grant, student scholarship, number of cash benefits and to introduce other welfare steps for workers in the country, said Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan.
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