ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reiterated the commitment to upholding the dignity of labourers and paid tribute to their historic struggle.

“This day serves as a reminder for all of us to safeguard labourers’ rights, and work for their social protection, fair wages, and safe working conditions,” the president said in a message on the observance of International Labour Day on May 1.

On this day, the president said, they deeply acknowledged and appreciated the contributions of their workers who had played a commendable role in the country’s development.

He said today, the International Labour Day was being observed to pay tribute to their workers and labourers whose tireless efforts had driven the country’s socio-economic development.

The president said the theme for this year’s International Labour Day was to ensure workplace safety and health amidst climate change.

“The labourers 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,” a press release quoted the president as saying.

The president expressed the hope that the federal and provincial governments would also play their role to protect the rights of labourers, take steps to eliminate exploitative practices and implement social security programs for them.

On the other hand,  Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that with an overarching objective to promote the rights and interests of the Pakistani workforce and as promised in PML-N’s manifesto, they remained steadfast in their commitment to bolstering labour welfare and harmonizing domestic labour legislation with global standards.

“Today we honor the immense sacrifices of the workers who laid their lives while waging a relentless struggle for their rights. We also honour the invaluable contributions of those workers who work day and night in the fields, factories and elsewhere.

They not only work hard to feed their families but also are the driving force behind Pakistan’s progress,” the prime minister said in a message on observance of International Labour Day on May 1.

The prime minister said that sustainable economic growth remained their top priority.

Also Read

PM meets Bill Gates; urges sustained efforts by partners for polio free Pakistan

RIYADH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the founder and co-chair of the...

While they recognized their workers in the formal sector, he said, it would be a remiss if they did not mention the hardworking individuals in the informal sector who worked in the fields, homes, and other places.