The workers' community in Pakistan, like elsewhere in the world, also staged rallies on Saturday to pay homage to the workers of Chicago for their struggle to defend their rights 118 years ago.
The government declared the day a public holiday. Seminars, conferences and talk shows were organised in all major cities and towns to highlight the significance of the day and throw light on the problems being faced by the workers in their day-to-day affairs.
It is worth mentioning that the day is observed all over the world to remember, a number of labourers killed at Haymarket, Chicago on May 1886, while demanding an 8-hour working day.
Labour, political and social organisations took out rallies and organised meetings to create awareness among the labourers regarding their rights.
In his message, President Musharraf emphasised that to guarantee the welfare of workers and labourers, Islamic teachings must be followed in letter and spirit.
"Workers will have to play their role in turning around the national economy," said Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali in his message.
The print media, including dailies, weeklies and monthlies, printed special editions featuring articles and editorials on workers` rights.
Likewise, the state-run and privately owned television channels, Radio Pakistan and other private radio channels also broadcast and telecast special programmes.
BUSINESS RECORDER KARACHI CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Labour organisations observed May Day on Saturday by holding rallies, seminars and protest meetings in different parts of the city.
Speakers at these meetings reviewed labour laws and its implementation in Pakistan and said that infringements of labour laws were on the increase in Pakistan.
They said that the labour and factory workers falling under the category of daily wage earner were the worst affected people.
They said that the daily wages were arbitrarily settled wages through labour contractors.
They demanded of the government to look into the menace of labour contractors and draw guidelines for their work.
They said that minimum wages for the labourers, skilled and the non-skilled, should be determined and paid accordingly to labourers.
Child labour was another subject that came into discussion at a meeting organised by the Steel Mills workers in collaboration with dockyard labour unions in District Central.
They said that despite ban on child labour, many industrial units, motor garages petrol pumps and similar units the hiring of children for work continues.
They said that the labour directorates should take notice of these practice and frame criminal charges against the violators of laws.
Women speakers complained discrimination against them at work places and disparity in wages for the same work between men and women.
At a May Day meeting held under the Habib Bank Workers Front "WTO and its impact on workers and trade unions in Pakistan" held at a local hotel sent a note of caution to trade and commerce bodies in respect of international open competition in trade and commerce and its adverse effects on the Pakistani labour market.
They said that the existing labour laws and National Industrial Ordinance should now be reviewed in the light of new challenges.
Senior labour leader Habibuddin Junaidee, who presided over the meeting, said that there was need of a united labour force in Pakistan. It should be enlightened and be able to understand the intricacies of the changing international environment of the labour force.
He called upon the labour organisation to unite at one platform and for the unity of their fellow workers, including daily wage earners.
Elder labour leader S. P. Lodhi said stressed the need to organise labour parties and bring them on a one point agenda for the well-being of the people.
Dr Qaiser Bengali gave an overview of the labour situation and asked the labour organisation to forge unity in their ranks.
LAHORE CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Like other parts of the country, the May Day was observed in a befitting manner in the provincial capital.
Various labour organisations, including Pakistan Workers Confederation, All Pakistan Trade Unions of Federation and Bonded Labour Liberation Front, held rallies and took out processions to pay homage to those who laid down their lives while defending the rights of the working people some 118 years ago in Chicago.
The Pakistan Workers Confederation took out a procession from Baktiar Labour Hall, who after passing through Nisbat Road and McLeod Road, reached Shahra-e-Quaid at GPO Chowk, where labour leaders addressed the gathering.
They paid rich tributes to the labourers of Chicago, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of workers.
All Pakistan Trade Unions Federation took out a large procession from the local Press Club to GPO, where it merged with other processions coming from Gulberg and other localities of the city.
At the GPO, all the processions turned into a big rally where Khurshid Ahmed, Ch Gulzar, Rubina Jamil and other labour leaders addressed the participants.
PRICE HIKE DECRIED: They condemned the increase in prices of essentials and said that it was unfortunate that the government had made 250-time raise in the salaries of MNAs and MPAS whereas no step had been taken to address the grievances of common man, who is suffering due to the problems caused by dearness and unemployment and lack of healthcare facilities.
They also urged the government to check the price hike and take immediate steps to address the problem of unemployment. They demanded that the government should raise the wages of workers and restore union activities in the public and private sector organisations.
They also urged the government not to privatise the public institutions that were earning profits.
"The privatisation of the profit-oriented public entities is causing unrest among the workers, therefore, the government should stop the process forthwith," they added.
WAGE BOARD AWARD: They further called upon the government to ensure early implementation of the Wage Board Award for journalists and restoration of employees terminated from Pakistan Railways, Wapda and other public sector institutions.
The labour leaders reiterated that their struggle for the just cause of workers would never end.
Bonded Labour Liberation Front also took out a large procession from Falettis Hotel to Lahore Press Club. Workers both males and females working at brick kilns and various factories participated in the procession. The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with demands and slogans in favour of workers.
They demanded for formation of a judicial commission for provision of speedy justice to women being exploited at workplaces.
They also condemned sexual harassment of female workers at workplaces and urged the government to take note of the same.