Wages and working conditions

As a developing country with a large labour force, Pakistan needs to prioritise the implementation of minimum wage laws. The government must take concrete steps to ensure that all workers, regardless of their profession, receive fair and just compensation for their work.

Currently, many workers in Pakistan are working long hours for meagre pay that barely covers their basic needs. Despite the existence of reasonable minimum wage floors, the federal and provincial governments have mostly failed to enforce them, leaving millions of workers open to exploitation by their employers. This not only affects the workers and their families, but also hinders the progress of the country as a whole. By implementing minimum wage laws, the government can ensure that workers receive a fair wage that allows them to support themselves and their families.

And while some employers may argue that increasing minimum wages is unfeasible, it is well established that apart from decreasing poverty rates, minimum wage laws also help improve productivity and work quality, as they are likely to give workers more job satisfaction and the ability to get to and from work more comfortably. Also, if a business cannot sustain itself without paying employees a living wage, that business is better off closing up shop.

Next month, a textile workers’ trade union will begin a “movement” to ensure the implementation of minimum wage, abolishing third-party contracting, and registering labourers with social security institutions. These are all very normal protections in most countries, including our competitors in the international market. Unfortunately, failure to implement them in time has left us in a position to potentially suffer serious productivity losses due to strikes. Industry and government need to work together to ensure working conditions are reasonable and workers’ rights are respected. It is not only a matter of justice and fairness, but also a step towards a more prosperous and equitable society for all.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2024.

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