LOWER DIR: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Labour and Human Resources Sajid Hussain Turi has said that there will be no compromise on the rights of labourers.

He was talking to journalists on International Workers’ Day during his visit to the district. He said that federal government should use all resources to ensure implementation of the minimum wage of Rs30,000.

The minister met with the workers of Pakistan Peoples Party in Sarai Payeen. He said that labourers had a key role in the development of the country.

“The incumbent federal government is providing free education to 80,000 children of labourers from primary to PhD level,” he said. He added the dowry fund for the children of labourers had been increased from Rs400,000 to Rs600,000.

Events mark International Workers’ Day in KP

He said that sewing machines were being distributed among the families of labourers free of cost to end unemployment.

Also, the local chapter of Jamaat-i-Islami held a rally on International Workers’ Day to protest imprisonment of Maulana Hidayat Rehman Baloch in Gwadar, a labour leader struggling for the rights of workers.

The JI leaders demanded of government to release Maulana Hidayat and other detainees belonging to Gwadar.

Shakil Shaheed Development Organisation (SSDO) also arranged a function at Nasafa Talash to mark the day that was attended by people from different walks of life.

In Khyber, scores of labourers and daily wagers converged at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal to mark the labour day and raise their voice against difficulties they faced at Torkham.

Labour leader Farman Shinwari said on the occasion that more than 10,000 workers were subjected to harsh and inhuman attitude by the immigration and border authorities for not possessing legal travel documents.

He said that the poor labourers and porters were entirely dependent on manual jobs at the border where they had to carry personal belongings of local and Afghan passengers on both sides of the border, which necessitated their cross-border movement several times a day.

He demanded of the authorities to relax visa restrictions for the labourers as they were the only bread winners for their families.

In Swat, speakers at an event said that increase in the prices of daily use commodities and lawlessness in the country forced people to commit suicide.

They were addressing labourers at Nishat Chowk in Mingora and Saidu Sharif to mark International Workers’ Day.

The event was organised by Swat Olasi Tahreek and neighbourhood council Saidu Sharif. Dr Khalid Mahmood, Abdullah Yousafzai, Anwar Khan Bacha, Abbas Ali, Abdul Ali Ashna, Ghafoor Baba, Shahab Uddin, Wakil Khan and others addressed the gathering.

In Bajaur, speakers at a debate urged government to take tangible steps for the welfare of labourers.

The debate titled “The challenges of labour and working classes and the way out” was arranged by a local association of workers in Sadiqabad town to mark the day.

Prof Namoos Khan, Maulana Mohammad Noor Benori, Shah Khalid Shahjee and others addressed the event.

Likewise, labour unions organised rallies in Dera Ismail Khan, Charsadda, Malakand and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to mark the day.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2023