LAHORE: Workers have demanded the federal and provincial governments to increase minimum salaries and pension by 50 per cent for all employees in the public and private sectors in the forthcoming budget due to unprecedented price hike in the country.

The demands were made by All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions Secretary General Khursheed Ahmad at a press conference here at the Labour Hall on Wednesday.

He appealed to the prime minister and chief ministers of all provinces to raise the salaries and pensions of the employees in government, semi government departments and organisations, gas companies, Wapda, railways, industries, media and banks etc at the rate 50pc in the coming budget.

He also demanded regularisation of daily, contract, ad hoc labour, besides ensuring safety of workers at the workplace.

He urged the government to amend the law and lift the ban on trade unions in railway, electricity companies and Nadra.

The laws should be enacted in conformity with the ILO Convention 87 & 98 and fundamental rights ensured under Article 17 of the Constitution, he added.

He said the government should review the decision to privatise electricity and gas companies, PIA, railways and other public entities.

He demanded holding of a tripartite labour conference in conformity with the ILO Convention No 144 to enable workers to raise their voice in the policy-making bodies like the employers.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...