Shop workers to be registered

CM orders crackdown on enterprises not paying minimum wage

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the registration of workers serving in shops, workshops and small enterprises in the province.

During a meeting with Punjab Labour Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, the CM asked him to begin the registration.

The chief minister said, "Workers working in small enterprises will get grants and other financial benefits after registering themselves with the labour department."

She directed the authorities concerned to ensure payment of the minimum wage in shops, petrol pumps and factories across Punjab.

She called for a crackdown on enterprises not implementing the minimum wage.

She also directed the authorities to increase labour registration across the province, and said, "For the first time in Punjab, workers working in shops, workshops and small industrial units will be registered."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to improve the working conditions for the labourers in industrial units.

She also sought a comprehensive plan for launching aration card programme for the labourers.

Meanwhile, the chief minister was informed during a briefing by Punjab Model Bazaar Management Company CEO Naveed Rafaqat that an estimated Rs1.1 billion had been saved by the citizens by shopping from Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars

The CM said the inflation rate during the month had remained quite low as compared to previous years.

The relief was provided in the purchase of food items from the bazaars set up by the government.

According to an official statement, the citizens were given 31 per cent relief at the stalls in the special Sahulat Bazaars in proportion to the open market.

A relief amounting to Rs117 million was given to the public in proportion to the officially set 'DC rates' in the Sahulat Bazaars. Purchases worth Rs2.46 billion were made in the bazaars.

The customers would have had to pay Rs3.57 billion for as much purchases at market rates and Rs2.58 billion according to the DC rates during Ramadan. Record purchases worth Rs28 million were made through the Sahulat Free Home Delivery App in Ramazan. Approximately 28,000 orders were placed through the app from 36 model markets established in 25 districts.

In the Sahulat Bazars, a 10kg flour bag was sold at Rs795, while the DC rate was Rs832 and market price Rs897. Chicken was sold at Rs940 per kg in the market, Rs585 as per DC rate and Rs571 in Sahulat Baazars.

Apples were sold at Rs305 per kg in Sahulat Bazaars, Rs316 according to the DC rate and.Rs487 in the markets. Bananas were sold at Rs389 per dozen in the markets, Rs 227 as per DC rate and Rs216 in the Sahulat Bazaars.

Eggs were sold at Rs269 per dozen in Sahulat Bazaars, Rs276 at the DC rate and Rs350 in the markets. Dates were available at Rs446 per kg in the open market, Rs460 at DC rate and Rs734 in the open market.

In another develoent, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sought an immediate report from the provincial health secretary over the death of a child in the Shahdara Teaching Hospital due to electrocution.

She directed the authorities concerned to take strict legal action against those found negligent after determining the responsibility.