Labour Day observed amid call for workplace safety, better wages

Governor, CM, ministers join chorus of lauding services of labourers

KARACHI:

Like the rest of the country, Labour Day was observed in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and other cities of Sindh.

Unionised workers demanded higher wages, workplace safety, social security, health insurance and other such facilities at rallies across the province.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, CM Murad Ali Shah, Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and other provincial ministers lauded the services of labourers and assured them of resolving their long standing issues.

In Karachi, the main rally was staged by National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) near Governor House.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a gathering orghanised by Peoples Labour Bureau at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

Trade unionists held rallies and meetings all over the northern Sindh to pay homage to the heroes of Chicago, USA who rendered their lives for the rights of labours in 1886.

Labour Unions of the Sukkur Electric Power Supply Company (SEPCO), Pakistan Railways, Workers Welfare Fund, Home Based Workers Association and other Trade Unions held separate rallies in Clock tower, Jinnah Chowk, Minara Road and others areas.

The participants paid tribute to the labour leaders of Chicago who went to gallows over violence resulting in the death of a policeman at the Haymarket protest in 1886 for better wages. Mayor Sukkur Barrister Arslan while addressing the gathering, urged the workers to promote brotherhood, unity and congenial atmosphere in the mills to boost production.

Labour Day was also observed in Ghotki, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Noshehroferoze, Jacobbabd and other districts to commemorate the valuable sacrifices of Chicago martyrs, rendered for the cause of workers. Special programs and talk shows were broadcast by the local FM channels and Radio Pakistan Khairpur and newspapers published special supplements to mark the Day.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in his message on May 1 said, "workers are the wheels of country's economy. Our workers have played an important role in development and prosperity of the country."

Governor Kamran Khan Tessori said ideal relations between employer and employee are essential to achieve the development and prosperity of the country.

Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, said that the government firmly believes in maintaining principles of social justice and equality and it is committed to creating an environment where every worker has the right to live a dignified life.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2024.