Bilawal reaffirms PPP’s pledge for workers rights

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tribute to the workers of the country and across the globe on the occasion of Labour Day, reaffirming the PPP’s historic and unwavering commitment to the rights, dignity, and empowerment of the working class.

“May 1 is not just a day to commemorate the sacrifices of workers who gave their lives in the global struggle for fair wages and humane working conditions, but a reminder that the fight for economic and social justice must continue,” he said on the eve of International Labour Day.

Since its founding, the PPP has stood shoulder to shoulder with the labour class, he said, adding: “Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto not only enshrined the right to unionise, but also created institutions such as the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) to protect workers’ future”.

The PPP chairman said when Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto became prime minister, her very first executive order was to release the imprisoned representatives of labour unions detained under dictatorship. “Under the first government of President Asif Ali Zardari, all anti-labour clauses were removed from the Constitution, while salaries and pensions were significantly increased. We are proud to carry forward this legacy of empowerment,” he added.

Bilawal further said that decent work, fair wages, and social protection are not privileges but basic rights of every labourer — whether a factory worker, a farmer, a domestic worker, or part of the informal economy. “The PPP remains firmly committed to policies that safeguard workers’ welfare, including the provision of a living wage, medical care, pensions, and safe working conditions,” he said.

He emphasised the urgent need to modernise labour laws to reflect the realities of the digital age and ensure inclusion of all workers. “No province can match the pro-labour legislation passed by the Sindh Assembly.

The Sindh government’s introduction of the Benazir Mazdoor Card is a transformative initiative through which registered workers can access essential benefits — including healthcare, education, marriage grants, financial support, and scholarships,” he said.

The PPP chairman concluded by saluting the perseverance and hard work of Pakistani workers: “Our workers are the backbone of our economy and nation. The PPP will always stand with them, in struggle and in service.”