Let me felicitate you on this historic day which reminds us the valiant and heroic struggle of the Chicago workers who had laid their lives for the collective rights and we also honour the labour struggles of the past as well as those who in recent times have risked their lives and stood up to powerful forces unwilling to listen to the organised voice of work.
These sacrifices were so great and momentous that they have left an indelible mark on the history on mankind and these still continue to be a source of inspiration for the downtrodden and oppressed workers. This is the day to revisit the struggles of the working class and commemorate its achievements. This Day is celebrated in commemoration of the martyrs of 1886 in Chicago which paved the way for social and economic achievements of the working class and labour movement. It provided an impetus to the struggle for rights of workers and thus ensured that the iniquitous system of their exploitation will no more exist.
The present Government is the people's government and Pakistan inception. The observance of May Day was formally instituted in Pakistan in 1972 soon after the first PPP government came into power. Our Government is in the lead again in promoting the rights of workers and has repealed the Industrial Relations Ordinance (2002) that had curbed the union activities and a new law Industrial Relations. Act, 2008 has been promulgated and this new law will be amended/repealed after consultations with all the stakeholders by April 2010.
Minimum wages for unskilled workers have been raised from Rs 4600 to Rs 6000 and Employees Old Age Benefits Act, 1976 has been amended in that now it is applicable to any industry or establishment employing five or more persons and by this it has increased the scope of the law and now more workers can benefit from the mandatory social security system especially in the wake of financial and economic crisis when more and more and more people are losing jobs.
The Government is committed to improve the lot of workers especially in relation to its international obligations. It is worth mentioning here that out of the first three legislations passed by the PPP led parliament, two are related to the labour issues.
PPP had promised in its manifesto that it will regularly hold the PTLC in order to formulate labour, economic and social policies and to devise mechanisms for their effective implementation with a view to promoting social justice, decent work and raising the dignity of labour and the government delivered on its promise with the revival of PTLC in February 2009 after a lapse of eight years. The PTLC brought under discussion the laws relating to industrial relations, occupational safety and health and employment and service conditions. Further consolations are being held for finalisation of these laws.
The government is, after a directive of Prime Minister in the inaugural session of PTLC, 2009, working on the new Labour Policy which will take into account issues of freedom of association and collective bargaining, social dialogue, workers welfare and employment into account.
As the Government is sincerely trying to foster good relations between all the three parties, it is also incumbent upon the workers and employers to maintain cordial relations between themselves which will increase the productivity labour & their living standards as well. As the country is facing the challenges of globalisation, the workers' role is pivotal. The only way to enable the country to tread on the road to progress is through active co-operation of both the workers' and employers and the Government urges these two groups to come forward and play their active role in attainment of these goals.
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