A comprehensive labour protection policy would be introduced in January 2006 as the Ministry of Labour Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis was trying to finalise it by December 2005 to contribute towards the economic and social progress of the nation by ensuring that workers' rights are protected, said Athar Mahmood Khan, director general, Pakistan Manpower Institute (PMI), here on Tuesday.
He said the government is seriously addressing labour issues and the policy is being prepared after taking all the stakeholders into confidence, adding the policy emphasised the importance of linkage between national development and labour protection and it would seek to strike a balance between protection of workers' rights and the efficiency and competitiveness of enterprises.
He, however, dispelled notions that the labour protection policy is not repealing the Labour Policy, 2002 but it is rather a part of it.
Replying to a question, he said that suggestions have been proposed in a bill regarding duration of females working hours, adding that currently, female labours were permitted to work from morning to evening, but it has been suggested in the bill that they should be allowed to work till 10 O'clock as overtime, provided their employers facilitate them with 'pick and drop' service.
He said the labour laws should be amended in accordance with this policy and a labour inspection policy should be introduced afterwards to evaluate its implementation.
Athar Mahmood Khan said that according to the labour protection policy all workers who are working under some specific contract should be considered permanent workers.