The Labour Day, also known as May Day, will be observed tomorrow across the globe, including Pakistan, to acknowledge workers’ achievements and promote social justice and universally acknowledged human and social rights.
Labour Day is a public holiday in Pakistan that is marked by rallies, marches, processions, and labour and worker union sessions.
Labour unions throughout Pakistan organise seminars and rallies in which union leaders deliver speeches highlighting the history and importance of the Labour Day. All government and non-government organisations, factories and educational institutions will remain closed tomorrow.
Pakistan’s first labour policy was devised in 1972, in which May 1 was declared an official holiday. This policy also formulated the creation of the Social Security Network, Old Age Benefit Schemes and Workers Welfare Fund. Pakistan’s Constitution also contains various provisions and articles on labour rights. It is important to note that Pakistan became a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) right after its independence.
The ILO is a United Nations (UN) specialised agency and Pakistan has ratified 36 ILO conventions of which eight are core conventions.