PAKISTAN PEOPLES PARTY GREATER LONDON
 

-- Govt not to abandon labours: President, PM

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani reaffirming the commitment to uphold and enhance the dignity of labour Celebration said that present government will not abandon the labour, the peasants, the fisher folk and the wage earners in their struggle for emancipation and freeing themselves from the shackles of exploitation.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in their separate messages on the occasion of May Day paid tributes to the Chicago martyrs for their struggle against oppressive socio-economic system a century ago

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message on the Labour Day said, "Both Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto believed that the PPP derived its strength from the working classes of Pakistan and they always fought for their rights and well being.

The present government continues to be inspired and guided in ameliorating the lot of workers by the policy principles laid down in the Manifesto by the Shaheed leaders. The restoration in service of the sacked workers through legislation, the replacement of the anti labour legislation the IRa 2002 with a pro-labour law, the restoration of trade union activities, the plans to build 80,000 housing units for the labour, enhancing the minimum wage to 6,000 rupees per month, increasing the workers’ share in the profit and increasing and universalizing marriage grants to all workers are some of the steps taken by the present government. Never before perhaps so much was done for the labour in such a short span of time as has been done by the present government."

He said these measures are a manifestation of conscious efforts by the present government to restore to the labour and the working classes their dignity and their rights. These will always be remembered.

A disenchanted labour is one of the causes of low productivity and industrial unrest. All the political forces should join hands in national interest in improving the lot of the working classes and protecting them from exploitation, the president said. I also pay tributes to the Chicago martyrs for their struggle against oppressive socio-economic system a century ago.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in his separate message said, "The role of labour in the economic development of our country cannot be but over emphasized. It has always been the labour community, which contributed significantly towards maximizing production and productivity. We cannot compete in the international market without provision of a respectable status and dignity to our labour as per ILO standards. We are taking various steps to review the existing labour laws in order to bring them in conformity with the international standards to keeping pace with the global trends and ensuring dignity of labour.

The government is taking all possible measures to protect the welfare and rights of workers. The government has repealed the Industrial Relations Order (IRO-2002) and revived banned trade unions. Formulation of a Labour Policy in the light of the former Prime Ministers, late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed’s vision is also under consideration and will soon be announced."

He said Workers and employers are partners in the production process and their coordination and cooperation is paramount for industrial peace and harmony to ensure maximum utilization of their inputs for the socio-economic development of our country.

Acting president Farooq Naek in his message said the country is fully alive to the need to promote welfare of workers and accelerate steps aimed at creation of better working conditions at farms and factories.

He said, "It is my belief that unless we have cadres of well-trained, satisfied and contended workforce, the country cannot take rapid strides on road to development. It is with this end in view that the Government is striving to improve the lot of workers all over the country. It is indeed satisfying to note that various schemes are being implemented in this regard".

--
Agha Tanveer Iqbal
Secretary Information
PPP Greater London
+44-07931445834