Message from Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the Occasion of Labour Day (May 1, 2023)

International Workers’ Day, which is being celebrated globally today, reminds us of the sacrifices of the workers who laid down their lives while waging a relentless struggle for their rights. The day symbolizes the sanctity and dignity of labour and at the same time, it is an acknowledgement of the importance of workers and labourers for being central to the economic growth of the country.

Today we pay glowing tributes to the working classes and laud their contributions to the development of the country. Our great religion, Islam, emphasizes the principles of social justice, equity and respect for the rights of the people. Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) have ordered us to fulfill the rights of the workers and not be lax in the performance of this core duty.

We find numerous inspiring examples of the dignity of labour and respect for the rights of the working classes in the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Respect for hard work and recognition of the rights of workers are extremely important in the process of progress. Islam accorded the sanctity to these fundamental human rights much before the establishment of labour laws.

On the same ground, we believe that workers and employers are partners in the production process and their cooperation and amicable relationship is essential for socio-economic development of the country.

The present Government is committed to improving the working and living conditions of workers and to supplement their welfare by providing better housing, education facilities and health cover for them and their families. Keeping in view the high inflation rates and other economic challenges, the government has increased the minimum wages of workers from Rs. 17,500/- to 25,000/ per month. It also aims to develop automated, integrated systems for workers’ welfare institutions to ensure transparency and to curtail delays in providing relief to the labourers and workers.

Keeping in view the requirements of the labour market, the present Government has embarked upon programmes of vocational training and skills development to enable workers to get their due share in job markets within and outside the country. The workers’ role is pivotal for economic development of any country and our Government is committed to ensuring that benefits of economic progress translate into prosperity for all sections of the population, particularly workers.

On this day, let us all vow to play our part both at individual and collective levels to ensure the welfare of working classes by investing in their socio-economic and social well-being.

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