What this May Day is and why is it celebrated in Pakistan? Do I fall in the category of those people who have labor rights? If I have some rights then why does my company give me half of my salary and take my signatures on the double I get?
Has the government in Pakistan fixed wages for a laborer? A private guard on duty raised these questions when asked why he was on duty after the government of Pakistan announced a holiday for May 1st to show solidarity with laborers and to mark International Labor Day today and that he has the right to that.
The name of this private guard is being kept anonymous for both the security of his job and life, but is being given the name “X.” This X is a resident of a village in Faisalabad and is doing the job of a security guard at a private educational institution for the last 12 years. When he was employed at this job 10 years before, the salary he received was 5000 and is told to sign a slip of Rs. 1500.
Now after 12 years he is getting Rs. 16000 and is signing a salary slip of Rs. 32000. This is going on for the last three to four years, told the guard while talking to The Opinion. Completely unaware of International Labor Day, X asked why this day is celebrated. When told why it is so, he showed surprise if there is such a day for people like him.
He questions that if this day is for the rights of the laborer and the government announces a holiday on it then why was not, he granted a holiday during his whole service? He disclosed that during the whole of his service, he might have received a total of 20 leaves if he fell ill, and even his salary was deducted on that. He said adding that not even a leave was granted to him even on Eid during the whole of his service.
When asked if any government official had ever asked him before about his plight and condition, he replied no. He said that his duty is for 12 to 13 hours a day and during those 12 years of his service no one ever contacted him. When asked has he ever heard about the minimum wages that the government fixed for a common worker? He said that nothing about that he said that heard about that about three years before but not after that. Adding more he said that he has nothing to do with those fixed wages as they were not for him. Mr. X got his two daughters married with the help of his relatives and never was in a position to do it himself. Is not the plight of this Mr. X and many other a slap on the labor laws and their implementation in Pakistan?
Is not this X and people like him are human beings? Why for years and years have we been unable to protect a common worker like him? Today like the previous year we celebrate international labor day, but why are not yet known people like him? If investigated further, we can find hundreds and thousands of people like him in Pakistan. Why our authorities are blind to such cases is a question completely unanswered.
Anyway, today in Pakistan International Labor Day was observed like the previous many years to commemorate the achievements and contributions of the workers to society. The labor plays a significant role in the development of nations. This day was celebrated around the world to pay tribute to the workers of the 19th century. On this day rallies and demonstrations are organized by various trade unions, workers’ organizations, and non-governmental organizations to highlight the basic rights of workers.
Most of the laborers in Pakistan live below the poverty line and many have lost lives while fighting with their basic needs. The previous year, the government announced minimum wages to Rs 32,000 which remained largely unimplemented in both formal and informal sectors. The first labor policy of Pakistan was framed in 1972, in which 1st May was declared an official holiday. On this occasion, the President of Pakistan in his message said the theme for this year’s International Labor Day was to ensure workplace safety and health amidst climate change. The president said the laborers and the working class in Pakistan are facing unprecedented challenges, such as inflation, rising cost of living, unemployment, and the adverse impacts of climate change. He emphasized the to help workers lead a better life and grant their rights.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the massive sacrifices that workers made and who lost their lives fighting for their rights. He said improving occupational safety and health across a range of industries is still our government is his government’s top agenda. He acknowledged the contributions of the laborers who toil day and night in factories, fields, and other places in order to provide for their families and were the main engine of Pakistan’s development and economy.
However, of the importance of this day, the federal and provincial governments in Pakistan should re-examine the labor laws to get them in line with international labor standards. The Industrial Relations Act, of 2012, and the provincial laws have shortcomings and are not in conformity with the ILO conventions that the Pakistan government has already ratified. The government should investigate workers’ plight like Mr. X and prosecute those who are responsible. The provincial governments should build the capacity of labor officers and should recruit those who are well-versed with national and international labor laws and are committed to implementing them across the board, Regular inspections should be made in every field and exemplary punishments should be given to those who are violating labor rights.
International and domestic companies, educational institutions, and employment companies should be checked regularly. The government should also put in place a system to redress the grievances of poor workers.
(Author: Senior journalist Rana Kashif)
