Labour laws in Pakistan cover only the formal sector and despite a growing number of informal workers in the traditional sector, no coverage or protection to workers in terms of access to rights and entitlements is provided. These views were expressed at the launching ceremony of a documentary on the situation of labour courts in Pakistan at a hotel on Wednesday. Launched by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), “Kis Se Munsafi Chahen?” has been prepared by Tehmina Ahmed of Newsline Films.
The issues that the documentary highlighted included the unnecessary delay in concluding cases even though labour courts are required to give a verdict in seven days, difficult access of justice structures to women and job insecurity during the course of the case as employers mostly turn hostile following the filing of the case.
Moreover issues like extremely low wages hampering workers’ decision to take the legal route and inability of contractual workers to approach courts for the lack of any documentary proof of employment were also discussed in the report. Speaking about the issue, Advocate MK Azmati, who also features in the documentary, highlighted the anti-labour bias instilled in the system. He pointed out that the labour judiciary is quick to strike down provisions that may be beneficial for workers but are resisted by employers in the courts.
He expressed displeasure that the judiciary did not take up the pro-labour Finance Act 2007 and is indifferent towards the Finance Act 2006 that was largely based on labour rights.
PILER Executive Director Karamat Ali said that societal attitude towards workers is negative and this reflects in the labour judiciary.
