On International Labour Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving the welfare and uplifting the status of workers in Pakistan, as reported by state media Radio Pakistan.
In separate messages issued to mark the occasion, both leaders expressed solidarity with workers, acknowledging their crucial role in the nation’s development and progress.
Despite the existence of labour laws, the International Labour Organization (ILO) notes that Pakistan has yet to ratify 55 conventions and protocols. The country continues to face challenges such as weak enforcement of labour laws, low wages, inadequate social protection, and poor representation of workers, despite government promises to create millions of jobs.
President Zardari, in his message, paid tribute to the country’s workers and recognized their struggles both within Pakistan and globally. He emphasized that workers are the backbone of the nation’s economy and development.
“We reaffirm our commitment to workers’ autonomy, fair wages, a safe environment, and social security,” President Zardari stated. He further acknowledged that workers are vital in building infrastructure, advancing industries, and driving economic growth.
He stressed the importance of equipping the youth and workers with modern skills, particularly in an increasingly fast-paced world, and called for a fair labor environment and policies that promote inclusive development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to ensuring safe, healthy, and dignified conditions for workers. He pointed out that the protection of workers’ fundamental rights is guaranteed under Pakistan’s Constitution and is in line with ILO conventions, to which the country is a signatory.
PM Shehbaz highlighted recent legislative and administrative reforms aimed at strengthening labor protections, including international conventions like the Forced Labour Convention and the 2014 Protocol to the Maritime Labour Convention. He noted that, for the first time, every worker in Pakistan now benefits from a national occupational safety and health profile, ensuring safer workplaces.
The Prime Minister urged all stakeholders—workers, activists, civil society, and the government—to join efforts in creating a society that respects workers, protects their rights, and fosters decent work opportunities.
Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani also paid tribute to the hardworking individuals of the nation, calling May 1 a symbol of determination, sacrifice, and human dignity. He reminded the nation that workers are the backbone of any society and emphasized that unless the labor class is provided with adequate social, economic, and legal protection, sustainable development will remain a distant dream.
