RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in a performance review meeting of the Labour Department, announced the allocation of 1,224 free flats for workers in Taxila and Sunder labour colonies.
Punjab CM also ordered the disbursement of death and marriage grants totaling Rs 6 billion to labourers.
These grants, unpaid to 29,000 workers by the previous government, will now be distributed to deserving labourers.
Maryam ordered the construction of two hostels for women workers in Garment City, stating that free accommodation would be provided to 704 women workers in Sheikhupura.
She also assessed the workers’ scholarship program, the establishment of labour colonies, and health facility projects for workers, alongside reforms in the Department of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health, and the enforcement of minimum wage laws.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has set a minimum wage of Rs 37,000 per month in the current budget, stressing, “It is our responsibility to protect the rights of every worker in Punjab.”
She ordered immediate measures to involve all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the minimum wage. “It is distressing that every worker does not receive their full wages,” she remarked, emphasizing the unfortunate lack of enforcement of labor laws for domestic workers.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered to ensure implementation of safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the workplace. Ensure the use of safety gear for sanitary staff while cleaning drains and manholes, she inspected.
It should be noted, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Provincial Minister of Labour and Human Resource Faisal Ayub, and MPA Sania Ashiq were present at the meeting.
