Laraib Nisar
The first day of May is celebrated as International Labor Day or May Day every year across the globe. In Pakistan Labor Day (Labour Day) is a public holiday that is marked by rallies, marches, processions, labor/worker union sessions and organized street demonstrations to show solidarity with workers around the world.
Pakistan became a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) right after its independence in 1947. The ILO is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency that promotes social justice and universally acknowledged human and social rights. Pakistan has ratified 36 ILO conventions of which eight are core conventions. Additionally, Pakistan devised its first labor policy in 1972, which declared May 1 an official holiday. The policy also pronounced the establishment of a comprehensive Social Security Network, Old Age Benefit Schemes and Workers Welfare Fund. Pakistan’s constitution also contains various provisions and articles for protection of labor rights.
As a developing country, Pakistan has faced a lot of labor force problems but the current scenario is much more improved as compared to previous times. Though workers still do not enjoy as many rights as enjoyed by workers in more developed and industrialized countries, but the condition is far better than that of labor force is under developed nations. The current government accepts the fact that workers contribute in the development process all over the world through their hard work, hence they should be uplifted in all possible ways. In this regard, the PTI government has taken commendable steps for uplifting the labor class of the country. One of the most vital step taken by the government is the issuance of health cards for the laborers of the country. These card help the laborers in getting an easy access to basic and advanced health facilities without paying huge sums of money. The step is significant because only a healthy labor force can effectively contribute to economic development, moreover, the labor class and people with lower-middle economic class are more prone to health issues, the health cards help them cope up with medical issues efficiently. Healthy individuals at the grass-root level can help in achieving the dream of a healthy society overall. Though Sindh and Punjab have taken a lead in the issuance of these cards, but other provinces are making efforts to follow their footprints.
Another significant step taken by the PTI government is the allotment of 1008 flats and 500 houses to laborers in the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme Islamabad. In addition to providing the property, the government has also announced to give a subsidy of Rs300,000 for up to 100,000 houses, which will significantly reduce the cost of these houses.
Last year, when COVID-19 hit the world, the laborers were one of the most effected segment in Pakistan. Thousands of industrial and domestic laborers lost their jobs and were grounded due to lockdowns. The government announced the ‘Mazdoor ka Ehsaas Program’ for helping the labor force through the crisis in the form of financial aid for the laborers who lost their jobs. Around Rs 75 billion were released from Prime Minister’s Relief Package that was established for targeted payments to low-income groups, especially laborers and daily wage workers who significantly suffered due to the lockdown situation in the country. Under the relief package, a monthly stipend of Rs. 12,000 per person was given to the deserving persons. In addition to the direct financial support, the government made all out efforts to implement smart/localized lockdowns so that the laborers can continue earning bread for their families.
Additionally, the government’s initiatives of Panah Gaahs (Shelter homes) and Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye (a hunger eradication program) are extremely beneficial in helping the laborer community working at stations away from their homes.
Despite the laudable efforts by the current government to uplift and empower the laborer segment of the society, some issues like bonded labor, child labor, wage inequality, gender based segregation of jobs etc. persist. Extensive legislation is in place for the eradication of these problems, the Government should ensure effective implementation of the already present laws to tackle these issue, as the development of workforce is not possible with such practices in place. Moreover, the government should try to acknowledge the critical role played by the labor force, to encourage them to perform their jobs dutifully, this acknowledgement will help in motivating the nearly half of labor force working in the informal sector to shift to the formal economic domain. Proper incentivisation and capacity building of the uneducated segments of society through vocational training can be helpful in increasing the labor force of the country. This labor day, let us all make a resolution to do everything in our capacity to uplift the labor sector of the country, as laborers are the ones who carry a significant portion of the economy on their shoulders.
The author Laraib Nisar is a Defense and Strategic Studies’ graduate, working as a Research Associate at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Islamabad.
