LAHORE, Feb 9: Mega projects like the Metro Bus Service are not built in a day and a major share of credit for timely completing such a project goes to the labourers.

Seldom accorded the recognition they deserve, these labourers brave inclement weather and other difficulties while executing
projects. The working class proved equal to the task of constructing Lahore’s mega project which was launched in March last year.

Hundreds of workers were hired by various private construction firms to materialise this PML-N government’s dream. They have yet to receive their due share in the Rs10 million cash prize Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had announced a couple of days ago.

Some of the labourers this reporter talked to were unaware of the prize money announced by the CM. “I don’t know about any such news but am more than happy to learn it from you,” Muhammad Yameen told this reporter.

Muhammad Javaid, Inam, Umar Azam, Rehmat Khalid, Muhammad Hussain and some others demanded a raise in daily wages for such a hard work. “The workers are being paid Rs350 to 500 for eight to 12 hours a day and it should be enhanced,” said a labourer.

The workers have appealed to the chief minister to ensure transparency in distribution of cash prize.