ISLAMABAD: The president, prime minister and foreign minister have paid tributes to the working class on the occasion of International Labour Day.

Prime Minister Sheh­baz Sharif stressed the need to fulfil workers’ rights by making them shareholders in the global economy.

“While we pay rich tributes to the working classes & celebrate their contributions today, the fact is that the disruption in global markets has led to a severe cost of living crisis,” the prime minister said in a tweet.

He added that the increase in commodity prices has put the working class under tremendous stress.

Fulfilling labour rights and making them shareholders in the system remained a fundamental challenge for the global economy, the PM said.

Mr Sharif called upon all the stakeholders to renew their pledges both at individual and collective levels to ensure the welfare of the working class and invest in their socio-economic and social well-being.

In his message, President Dr Arif Alvi said the Labour Day was celebrated to reaffirm commitment to the dignity of labour and pay tribute to their valiant and heroic struggle for their fundamental rights, according to APP.

Foreign Minister Bila­wal Bhutto-Zardari emph­a­sised that there would be no compromise on labourers’ rights, as prosperity for labourers meant prosperity for Pakistan, APP added. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz said labourers were the “real asset of the country”, who played a significant role in uplifting the nation.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2023