There seems to be no implementation of labour laws
KARACHI: Every year on May 1st people across the world observe Labour Day as a public holiday. However, most members of the working class have no idea what this day signifies.
There are countless problems which are being faced by our workers — poverty, illiteracy, unsafe and often hazardous workplace conditions to name a few. A vast majority of workers remain outside the purview of labour laws, which means that workers have no paid holidays, no job security, no medical coverage, no pension or provident fund, no limit on working hours and are paid no overtime. In Pakistan, there is also the menace of child labour.
Child labour in the country is growing at a disturbing rate. It is a very complex problem with its root in the socioeconomic environment of the country. The children suffer from the lack of education and health facilities.
It is important to note that Pakistan became a member of the ILO right after independence. However, there has not been much change since then. There seems to be no implementation of labour laws.
I know many workers who work just for a small amount and they don’t have even one day off in a week, because the day they don’t work there is no food in their house. Hence, there should be international monitoring in the country and people should be held accountable for forcing children to work and perhaps give paid leave to workers at least for a day.
Obaidullah Javaid
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2018.
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