Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi has said that economic progress and welfare of the labourers are interlinked as labourers play a key role in the development and stability of the economy of a country. He said that no society can achieve the goal of progress and prosperity without ensuring dignity and respect for the working classes.
He said that labourers of Pakistan have also waged a heroic struggle for their rights and the existing laws and labour-friendly policies in the country are the result of the efforts of the labour classes. He said that on this day, the nation reiterates its pledge that fullest support will be extended to the labour classes in upholding their legitimate rights. He said that in order to set up an Islamic welfare society, Islamic teachings regarding the rights and dignity of labourers will have to be followed.
In his message on International Labour Day, the Chief Minister said that it was due to sacrifices of the labour leaders of Chicago that those rights were granted to the labourers as had been denied to them for centuries.
He said that due to sacrifices of the martyrs of Chicago, not only self-respect of the labourers was restored but their rights regarding wage, working hours, treatment as well as other facilities were also granted. He said that the dream of setting up a healthy and prosperous society cannot be realised nor the goal of national progress and prosperity can be achieved without welfare of the labourers.
He said that Punjab government has always attached top priority to the rights of the industrial and agriculture labourers and setting up of social security hospitals, dispensaries, labour colonies and educational institutions of highest standard for the children of working class are the proof of the labour-friendly policies of Punjab government. He said that provision of educational scholarships in a transparent manner, implementation of labour laws in trade and industrial units, payment of minimum wage and proper working conditions are the among the top priorities of the Punjab government.