'Pay workers before sweat dries,' says minister

BISP chairperson reaffirms social protection for working-class families

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan paid tribute to millions of labourers on International Workers' Day, stating that Islam places a sacred duty on employers to pay workers their wages 'before their sweat dries', according to an official statement issued on Friday.

Aleem Khan said the working class is the backbone of human progress and national prosperity. The tireless hard work of labourers, from fields to construction sites, guarantees a strong and prosperous Pakistan. He emphasised that the government prioritises the dignity, safety and fair wages of workers, and reaffirmed its commitment to protect the rights of the labour force.

Praising those in the communications and infrastructure sectors, Aleem Khan said these teams lay the foundations of a modern Pakistan. He paid special tribute to workers on highways and other vital projects, calling them national heroes.

Separately, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid paid tribute to Pakistan's working class, reaffirming the government's commitment to workers' rights and social protection through BISP.

Khalid said May 1 serves as a reminder of the struggles and rights of workers, stressing that the labour class is the backbone of Pakistan's development and that progress is impossible without them. She stated that the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was always pro?labour, and that BISP carries forward that legacy by providing financial support to millions of working?class families.

She emphasised that protecting workers' rights is the hallmark of a civilised society, and that development without social protection remains an unfulfilled dream – a gap that BISP is actively bridging. Ensuring dignified employment, healthcare, education and social protection for workers is a fundamental state responsibility, with the protection of women and informal?sector workers remaining a top priority. WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP