Like other parts of the globe the Labour Day will be observed in Pakistan today (Sunday) to remember the struggle of Chicago labourers and renew the pledge for the rights of workers. May Day commemorates the killing by police on May 1, 1886 of several demonstrating workers at Hay Market in Chicago, USA, who demanded that the 12-hour workday be reduced to eight hours. On the Day, labourers throughout the world show solidarity and make commitments for rensuring rights of labourers arross the world. The Pakistan government has set the minimum wages of the daily wages workers at Rs 7,000 per month, but unfortunately in the private sector, majority of the labourers are given less wages.
For the working class, the situation is very tough which is evident from growing social problems and the poverty. The government departments, trade unions, social organizations will arrange workshops, seminars, conferences, discussions, besides holding rallies to mark the Day. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, in separate messages, have said that the government believes in the dignity of labour and believes that a prosperous workforce can enable Pakistan to compete in a globalized market environment and the government is determined to free them from exploitation. They urged employees and employers across the country to come forward and play their role in making Pakistan a prosperous country.
They said the government will ‘do all’ for the emancipation of the middle class. On the other hand, federal minister for labor and manpower in his message said that Pakistan People’s Party believes that labour is an integral part of our economy and the government will do all it can to assure that they are given their due rights.
