Minimum wage enforcement urged

Trade, industry leaders acknowledge govt's responsibility to address lapses

LAHORE:

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has issued stringent directives to ensure the disbursement of the minimum monthly wage of Rs32,000 throughout the province.

Chairing a meeting of the Punjab Labour Department on Thursday, he urged decisive action against employers failing to adhere to minimum wage regulations, calling for a comprehensive report on the situation in this regard across Punjab.

He underscored that it was imperative for industries and institutions to uphold their responsibility in meeting the prescribed minimum wage standards, deeming the non-implementation of such standards as regrettable. Assuring the workers of their rights, he affirmed that the government would take all necessary measures to rectify any lapses.

Speaking to The Express Tribune regarding the matter, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood acknowledged the challenges posed by soaring inflation across various sectors of the economy, including trade and industry.

He stressed the necessity for all segments of the economy to comply with minimum wage regulations.

Mahmood noted that all industries and businesses registered with the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) were already adhering to the minimum wage regulations. Any lapses should be addressed by the government with utmost seriousness, particularly in the face of unprecedented inflation affecting the lower income strata, especially low-wage workers.

Read Crackdown against minimum wage violators

Responding to a question, he said some violations within the trading community were due to unawareness and a lack of knowledge. Mahmood urged these entities to also comply with minimum wage regulations.

Abdul Razzaq Babbar, the General Secretary of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran pointed out that every chief minister makes claims of implementing minimum wage regulations but often falls short due to corruption within the enforcing authorities. He asserted that officials frequently accept bribes from traders and businesses, allowing them to exploit their workers. Babbar stressed that it is the state's responsibility to enforce minimum wage regulations to prevent the exploitation of low-wage workers.

The veteran trader leader acknowledged the presence of a few black sheep in the trading community but highlighted that most traders pay competitive wages and commissions to their experienced workers. While seasoned workers often earn between Rs70,000 to Rs80,000 per month along with reasonable commissions, new workers or trainees may face exploitation in terms of low wages.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2023.