KARACHI: The Sindh Workers Welfare Board (WWB) has decided to include industrial workers from minority communities in its upcoming electric bike scheme, which was earlier planned only for women.
This announcement comes just before National Minorities Day on August 11, which marks the day in 1947 when Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah spoke about equal rights for all citizens, regardless of their religion.
Sindh Labour Secretary Rafique Qureshi said the move is important because the white stripe in Pakistan’s flag stands for minorities and their equal rights.
However, religious freedom in Pakistan still faces challenges. European Union’s Sebastien Lorion pointed out ongoing problems like mob attacks, forced conversions, and blasphemy cases.
Last month, State Minister for Religious Affairs Kesoo Mal Kheal Das said that minorities face problems with government administration and governance.
The National Commission for Minority Rights law has been passed by both houses of Parliament and is waiting for the president’s approval, Kheal Das added.
An EU-supported project to improve minority rights is ongoing in Punjab and Sindh, run by the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights with the Centre for Social Justice.
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In July, some non-Muslim senators asked Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani to create a minority caucus in the Senate to better represent minority communities.
Last year, Peter Charles Sahotra, founder of the Pakistan Minorities Movement, said minorities face insecurity and discrimination and urged the government to protect their constitutional rights.
New Welfare Plans for Workers
The WWB also shared new plans for workers’ welfare. The Workers’ Accidental Health Insurance Scheme will now offer Rs700,000 yearly coverage and treatment in 270 hospitals across Pakistan.
The board will replace workers’ flats with fully solar-powered homes. Schools run by the board will also get solar energy, and students will receive two sets of uniforms every year.
Following orders from Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, death grants will rise to Rs1 million, and marriage grants will increase from Rs300,000 to Rs500,000, said Labour Secretary Qureshi.
He added that the board is digitizing all services to make them fair and transparent for workers.
After getting formal approval, the WWB will invest Rs3 billion in Shariah-compliant Sukuk bonds approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to strengthen finances and improve facilities for workers.
