CM message on Int’l Labour Day

LAHORE, Apr 30 (APP):Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that workers had rendered invaluable sacrifices for their rights in Chicago on May 1, 1886.
“The day reminds us about martyrs of Chicago and their struggle against oppression and tyranny,” he added.
In his message issued here on the eve of International Labour Day, the chief minister said the purpose of celebrating the day was to initiate steps for providing protection to labourers and industrial workers against any exploitation.
“It is also aimed at speeding up the efforts to ensure the dignity and provision of suitable wages
to the working class,” he added.
He said Islam had highlighted the dignity of the workers by terming them as the friend of
Allah Almighty.
“It also gives the lesson of welfare and dignity of the labourers and says that payments of
labourers should be paid without any delay. It is sanguine that constitution of Islamic Republic of
Pakistan also provides necessary protection to the rights of the labourers.”
The chief minister said the goal of durable socio-economic development couldn’t be achieved without giving due status to the working class as their role was pivotal in giving sound foundations
to the national economy.
The human resource was the backbone of trade and industry. It was the reason that government was giving full attention to improve the lot of working class and solid steps had been taken for welfare
of the workers, he added.
He said under the skills development programme of the Punjab government, thousands of youth
had been trained. Along with it, thousands of children of brick-kiln workers had been brought to
schools for their education. The workers are fully benefiting from the labour-friendly policies of the
Punjab government and a number of programs are underway to provide residential, treatment and
quality educational facilities to the workers, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said, “The establishment of quality educational institutions, network of social security hospitals as well as labour colonies is the clear proof of labour-friendly policies of the
provincial government.”
He said May 1 gives an opportunity to reiterate our commitments for protecting workers’ rights.
We have to reaffirm our commitment towards workers’ welfare and help them in struggling for their
legitimate rights.