10-year plan in the works for NMTD labourers

Provincial minister says rights of workers will be protected at any cost

PESHAWAR:

With the jurisdiction of the provincial labour department extended to the newly merged tribal districts, a decade-long plan is being devised to improve the conditions there apart from enhancing skills of workers so that they can avail greater opportunities.

This was stated by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Labour and Culture Minister Shaukat Yousafzai on Friday during a meeting with representatives of a labour union. They discussed the representation of workers in the Workers’ Welfare Board, labour colony issues, facilities and steps taken by the labour department for the workers.

Noting that the province was on the cusp of an industrial revolution, Yousafzai said that impending peace in Afghanistan and the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could open the doors to Central Asia for Pakistani manufacturers and workers.

He added that the rights of workers will be protected at any cost.

Referring to CPEC, the minister said that in phase-II of the multibillion-dollar project, work on the Rashakai Economic Zone has been accelerated. Moreover, improved conditions along the Pakistan-Afghan border have paved the way for establishing trade markets in these areas.

Special attention will be paid to workers’ representation and rights, the minister said, adding.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, Septe0mber 28^th, 2020.