PESHAWAR: Functions were held, rallies and walks organised across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday in connection with International Labour Day, where the speakers demanded a better environment for the working class. The biggest function in the city was organised by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Labour Bureau at the Nishtar Hall.
According to Khwaja Yawar Naseer, the provincial president of the Cultural and Sports Wing of the PPP, the event was presided over by the PPP Provincial President, Syed Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha.
The gathering was attended by a large number of PPP workers, including the party’s Secretary General Humayun Khan, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme Rubina Khalid, provincial chapter office-bearerers , as well as divisional and district office-bearers.
Various labour associations from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also participated actively, expressing solidarity with the Pakistan People’s Party. Speakers at the event highlighted the rights of the working class, the struggle of labourers, and PPP’s labour-friendly policies.
They noted that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always raised their voices for workers’ rights, and today, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was carrying forward the same vision.
Syed Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha and other party leaders greeted PPP KP Labour Bureau President Shah Zulqarnain and his team for successfully organizing the event.The Labour Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa organized a dignified ceremony in Peshawar.
The event was attended by Secretary Workers Welfare Board Muhammad Tufail Khattak, Additional Secretary Labour Khaliq Dad, Director Labour Irfanullah, Vice-Commissioner of Employees Social Security Institution (ESSI) Khurshid Alam, Director Admin WWB Saifullah Zafar, presidents of workers’ unions, representatives of industrialists, and a large number of labourers.
The WWB secretary said that Labour Day was being observed around the world to commemorate the sacrifices and struggles of workers for their rights. He emphasized that the country’s economy thrives due to the contributions of workers and their role in economic development is undeniable.
He said so far this year, WWB had distributed Rs720 million in scholarships to workers’ children, provided Rs 130 million in dowry grants to 341 families, and issued death grants to 44 families, adding that 10 workers were being sent for Haj this year free of cost.
Peshawar Mayor Zubair Ali said in statement said the labourers were playing a pivotal role in the development and prosperity of any nation. “We can only achieve our developmental goals by ensuring the welfare and protection of this hardworking segment of society,” he said.
Referring to the International Labour Day, the mayor dedicated the day to workers working in mining, construction, and other hazardous industries. “The Capital Metropolitan Government of Peshawar pays tribute to all labourers who risk their lives working deep underground, in extreme heat, dust, and danger, to earn an honest living,” he said.
CHITRAL: The district administration of Lower Chitral also organised a rally and seminar to highlight the importance of labourers and the significance of World Labour Day.Assistant Commissioner (AC) Muhammad Aftab Munir led the rally along with officials from the Tehsil Municipal Administration and representatives of the Traders Union.
The AC said that World Labour Day was a day to reaffirm and realise the fact that no nation could ascend the ladder of development without giving its workers and labourers their due rights. He remarked that while the world talked about war, the true nature of modern conflict was economic.
CHARSADDA: The district administration organised an event to pay tribute to labourers on International Labour Day. A large number of workers participated in the event.An awareness walk was also held to promote the basic rights of labourers. Deputy Commissioner Qaiser Khan, Assistant Commissioner Qaiser Khan Kundi, Assistant Commissioner Riaz Ahmad, and others participated in the event.
MARDAN: The speakers at a ceremony organized by the district administration and Education Department at the Government Higher Secondary School Baghdada, Mardan said the significance of workers in society has been clearly defined in Islam, where a worker is considered a friend of Allah.
They said the workers should be given their rightful place in society and provided with social security at all levels.The event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Eid Nawaz, District Education Officer Muhammad Zahid, Deputy EDO (Female) Fozia Azam, administrative officers, teachers, and students.
Speakers said the country’s progress was largely due to the hard work of its labour force. However, they lamented that the conditions of workers remain deplorable. The speakers called on the government to prioritize the welfare of workers and to further strengthen the social security system.
Eid Nawaz noted that sacrifices had been made globally to secure the rightful place of workers in society and to protect their rights. “It is our collective responsibility to recognize the value of labour and contribute fully to ensuring workers receive their due rights,” he said.He emphasized that the true objectives of May Day could be realized when both the state and society fulfill their roles in supporting workers.
SWABI: Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) observed the Labour Day with great enthusiasm.The workers were holding banners and raised slogans in favour of the workers while passing through various roads and markets in the district headquarters.
The various union leaders and workers opposed the government’s move of privatization of different departments.PWF Central President Shaukat Ali Anjum said the biggest problem was that the ruling class is depriving the workers of their rights through a well-thought-out strategy.