Labour policy: Minister says government striving to create a worker-friendly environment
Sarwar says policy announcement delayed due to political situation.
LAHORE:
The labour policy the provincial government was expected to announce on May 1 still awaits cabinet approval.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Labour and Human Resource Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said the political impasse and the recent floods had delayed the announcement of the policy. He said the cabinet would approve the policy in its next meeting. Sarwar said the government was committed to fostering a worker-friendly environment in the Punjab but the challenges caused by the floods took precedence over approving the policy. He said the government was focused on rehabilitating those affected on a priority basis. Sarwar said the government would leave no stone unturned to alleviate their problems.
He said 70 laws would be simplified, codified and consolidated under the initiative. Sarwar said the policy would define the rights of contract workers and extend protective measures to workers in the informal sector. He said a tripartite committee would be established within 120 days of the policy’s announcement to ensure that the law complies with conventions of the International Labour Organisation. Sarwar said under the policy, minimum wage would be increased gradually to Rs15,000 for unskilled workers. He said it would be applicable to 50 industries. Sarwar said Urdu translations of unfair labour practices identified in the Punjab Industrial Relations Act (PIRA) would be prominently displayed at workplaces. He said the factories would have to display the notices within 90 days of the policy’s announcement. Sarwar said the PIRA would be amended to set up workers’ management councils in firms employing more than 20 people. He said the PIRA would be amended within 180 days of the policy’s announcement. Sarwar said training sessions for proprietors and human resource officials would be organised to inform them regarding unfair labour practices. He said 7,200 non formal education and literacy centres and 6,000 adult literacy centres would be established to eliminate child and bonded labour. Sarwar said special attention would be devoted to educating brick kiln workers. He said an initiative to eradicate child and bonded labour would be introduced fiscal 2014-2015. Sarwar said a province-wide survey would be conducted to suggest measures needed to eliminate bonded labour and child labour. He said he would personally oversee the project. Sarwar said 4,000 flats would be provided to workers in the next four years.
He said the number of worker welfare schools will be increased from 50 to 70. Sarwar said the PESSI would establish nursing schools for the children of eligible workers. He said they would train 200 students yearly. Sarwar said under the policy, 33 per cent seats would be reserved for women in all structures affiliated with the Labour Department. He said labour unions at establishments where women comprised more than 50 per cent of the workforce should have two-third seats for reserved for them in executive bodies and they would comprise 50 per cent of union office bearers there. Sarwar said establishments with a lower female proportion will have to ensure that they are represented a tenth in executive bodies and office bearers. He said the provisions of the policy would be extended to home-based workers, domestic helpers and kiln workers on a priority basis.
Leader of the Opposition Mian Mehmoodur Rashid said the government had always made lofty claims about promoting and protecting labour rights. He said the failure of the government to announce the policy reflected its incompetence. Rashid said the government had reneged on it promises to labourers.
He said the government had created a business-friendly environment for industrialists and traders by compromising on labour rights. Rashid said one million mill workers had been laid off in the year and they had been left to their own devices as they did not possess employment contracts. He said the government’s efforts at eradicating bonded and child labour were devoid of substance. Rashid said nine million children had dropped out of schools. He said the government had not taken any action against gender discrimination at work. Rashid said the government had no labour policy. He said the government’s interest in the issue could be gauged from the fact that it had only allocated Rs838 million for industrial workers in five years. And had released only half of the funds.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2014.
The labour policy the provincial government was expected to announce on May 1 still awaits cabinet approval.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Labour and Human Resource Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said the political impasse and the recent floods had delayed the announcement of the policy. He said the cabinet would approve the policy in its next meeting. Sarwar said the government was committed to fostering a worker-friendly environment in the Punjab but the challenges caused by the floods took precedence over approving the policy. He said the government was focused on rehabilitating those affected on a priority basis. Sarwar said the government would leave no stone unturned to alleviate their problems.
He said 70 laws would be simplified, codified and consolidated under the initiative. Sarwar said the policy would define the rights of contract workers and extend protective measures to workers in the informal sector. He said a tripartite committee would be established within 120 days of the policy’s announcement to ensure that the law complies with conventions of the International Labour Organisation. Sarwar said under the policy, minimum wage would be increased gradually to Rs15,000 for unskilled workers. He said it would be applicable to 50 industries. Sarwar said Urdu translations of unfair labour practices identified in the Punjab Industrial Relations Act (PIRA) would be prominently displayed at workplaces. He said the factories would have to display the notices within 90 days of the policy’s announcement. Sarwar said the PIRA would be amended to set up workers’ management councils in firms employing more than 20 people. He said the PIRA would be amended within 180 days of the policy’s announcement. Sarwar said training sessions for proprietors and human resource officials would be organised to inform them regarding unfair labour practices. He said 7,200 non formal education and literacy centres and 6,000 adult literacy centres would be established to eliminate child and bonded labour. Sarwar said special attention would be devoted to educating brick kiln workers. He said an initiative to eradicate child and bonded labour would be introduced fiscal 2014-2015. Sarwar said a province-wide survey would be conducted to suggest measures needed to eliminate bonded labour and child labour. He said he would personally oversee the project. Sarwar said 4,000 flats would be provided to workers in the next four years.
He said the number of worker welfare schools will be increased from 50 to 70. Sarwar said the PESSI would establish nursing schools for the children of eligible workers. He said they would train 200 students yearly. Sarwar said under the policy, 33 per cent seats would be reserved for women in all structures affiliated with the Labour Department. He said labour unions at establishments where women comprised more than 50 per cent of the workforce should have two-third seats for reserved for them in executive bodies and they would comprise 50 per cent of union office bearers there. Sarwar said establishments with a lower female proportion will have to ensure that they are represented a tenth in executive bodies and office bearers. He said the provisions of the policy would be extended to home-based workers, domestic helpers and kiln workers on a priority basis.
Leader of the Opposition Mian Mehmoodur Rashid said the government had always made lofty claims about promoting and protecting labour rights. He said the failure of the government to announce the policy reflected its incompetence. Rashid said the government had reneged on it promises to labourers.
He said the government had created a business-friendly environment for industrialists and traders by compromising on labour rights. Rashid said one million mill workers had been laid off in the year and they had been left to their own devices as they did not possess employment contracts. He said the government’s efforts at eradicating bonded and child labour were devoid of substance. Rashid said nine million children had dropped out of schools. He said the government had not taken any action against gender discrimination at work. Rashid said the government had no labour policy. He said the government’s interest in the issue could be gauged from the fact that it had only allocated Rs838 million for industrial workers in five years. And had released only half of the funds.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2014.