Islamabad, (Parliament Times): The speakers demand the implementation of minimum wages, labor laws in government and private sectors, health insurance for journalists, timely payment of salaries, elimination of forced redundancies, and removal of unwarranted restrictions on freedom of expression.
They were speaking at the gathering which was held to mark the international labor day at National Press Club here on Wednesday. Jointly organised by the National Press Club, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists and Pakistan Workers Federation, the programme was facilitated by Pakistan Worker’s Federation.
They also demanded for inclusion of representatives of labor organizations in consultations on governmental decisions and pension reforms. They also demand for the abolition of black laws like PECA, implementation of PEMRA amendment act, establishment of Complaints Councils and enforcement of minimum wage law in media industry, immediate government procurement of wheat from farmers and release of arrested farmers alongside other demands of laborers were presented before the government.
Addressing the ceremony, former Senate Chairman and Secretary General of the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, said that whenever the People’s Party came to power, it prioritised the rights of laborers. We provided jobs and tackled forced redundancies, cases and confrontations. Nayyar Bukhari said, “Today, an important issue is with our farmers. If the farmers’ voices are not heard today, Pakistan may face famine in the coming years. He also promised that people’s party will always be standing with labor unions in struggle, as we did in the past.
Former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said, “Bhutto challenged the capitalist system with the power of the laborer. Bhutto gave rights to the laborer, who works in fields, factories, villages, and offices. Whenever the People’s Party came to power, it openly supported the laborer. We made permanent daily wage workers and contract workers. We always faced cases of providing jobs. Thousands of people were given jobs back by forming special committees as speakers. When I was the Speaker, one day, I fainted while talking to a lift operator and was told that the company gives me fifteen thousand salaries while they receive twenty-five thousand. Whether it’s the private sector or the government, workers’ rights are being violated everywhere.”
Muslim League-N leaders Senator Nasir Butt said, “Today is Labor Day and today is still a bitter day for laborers. We will try to implement the formula of giving employment to the laborer before the sweat of the laborer turns to dust. We stand in solidarity with workers. Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Secretary of the Pakistan Workers Federation and CBA Union, addressing the ceremony of Labor Day, said, “Today is the day of workers but today the worker is still worried about poverty. Dismissal of institutions is being carried out but representatives of labor organisations are being ignored. The situation of implementation of labor laws is such that the minimum wage law is not being implemented even in Islamabad. We are divided on the basis of color, race, religion, and politics. Now is the time for practical struggle. Pakistani workers will have to come together on one agenda. If you want to achieve rights, unity is necessary. We are peaceful people; we are builders, not destroyers.” Chaudhry Yasin said, “I pledge that I will fight against the enemies of labor until the last breath. Speaking at the ceremony, Tariq Ali, President of RIUJ said, “Our cameramen do not have insurance but the cameras purchased by the owners are insured. This shows the state of workers in media industry.
President National Press Club Azhar Jatoi said that National Press Club is the fortress of journalists as well as workers and will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the rights of workers. Whenever workers call, we will stand by their side. Secretary National Press Club Nayyer Ali said that every wage earner is a laborer and we should be proud to be a laborer. The rules of the Journalist Protection Bill should be prepared immediately and all the stakeholders should be included in the consultation process of future legislation. Former President National Press Club Anwar Raza, former President RIUJ Ali Raza Alvi including Labor leaders Waris Dilip Vice Chairman. CDA Mazdoor Union, Shafqat Waraich President State Bank Federation, Rai Akbar Director Directorate of Workers Union Education, Malik Saleem Awan Chairman APP Union, Raja Saleem President OGDCL, Munir Butt Vice Chairman Workers Federation Pakistan Addressed the seminar.
