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Thursday July 10, 2025

Rights activists demand abolition of contract system, implementation of minimum wages

By Salis bin Perwaiz
May 02, 2025
Members of  NTUF and HBWWF are holding protest rally as they are presenting tribute to martyrs of Chicago on the occasion of International Labour Day, at Saddar area in Karachi on May 1, 2025. — PPI
Members of  NTUF and HBWWF are holding protest rally as they are presenting tribute to martyrs of Chicago on the occasion of International Labour Day, at Saddar area in Karachi on May 1, 2025. — PPI

The National Trade Union Federation of Pakistan (NTUF) and the Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) led thousands of workers, including a significant number of women, in a rally on May 1 to call for the dismantling of capitalist structures and the end of anti-labour policies.

The rally, which began at Regal Chowk and concluded at the Karachi Press Club, marked International Workers Day with powerful speeches and demands for a more equitable society. NTUF General Secretary Nasir Mansoor addressed the crowd emphasising the global turmoil caused by capitalist and right wing governments. He highlighted how these policies had driven billions into poverty and conflict and warned of a new form of colonialism emerging from economic instability and trade wars.

Gul Rehman of the Workers Rights Movement criticised Pakistan s ruling elite for adopting anti-worker policies akin to their imperialist counterparts. He noted the systematic dismantling of labour rights and dismissal of basic service demands.

HBWWF General Secretary Zehra Khan denounced the proposed Labour Code in Sindh and Punjab, which she argued would legitimise the illegal third party contract system.

She pledged strong resistance against its enforcement. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt claimed that various elites had united to perpetuate public suffering while political parties were diverting the attention from class-based struggles.

Youth activist Aqib Hussain urged the working class to reject divisive identities and unite against their exploiters. Tahir Khan of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists condemned the misuse of laws to silence free expression vowing resistance from journalists.

Progressive intellectual Dr Riaz Sheikh called for a new political alignment based on class consciousness to combat capitalism and build a just society. The rally concluded with resolutions demanding the removal of anti-worker clauses from labour laws, abolition of the contract system, implementation of living wages and an end to environmentally harmful projects.

Organisers of the rally announced plans for a major workers sit-in in Karachi ahead of the federal budget with the location to be disclosed soon.

Economy’s backbone

Labourers were the backbone of the country's economy, said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in a statement on Labour Day. He added that all possible steps were being taken to provide a dignified lifestyle to the workers.

He remarked that the great sacrifice of the Chicago workers was viewed with respect and honour all over the world. He said May 1 provided us with an opportunity to renew our commitment to protect the legitimate rights of workers and their welfare.

The CM said the Pakistan Peoples Party had been actively working for the protection and welfare of the rights of workers since day one. He claimed that the PPP was truly a representative party of the workers class.

He said the Sindh government had fixed the minimum monthly wage of Rs37,000 for all unskilled workers from July 1, 2024, which was an important step towards improving the standard of living of the workers. He added that the Sindh government had taken several steps for the rights of the workers and their welfare, including the launch of a registration campaign for all workers, including domestic workers.

He stated that the Workers Model Schools and Workers Intermediate Colleges had been established across the province, where free books, uniforms and other facilities were being provided to the children of the workers class. Housing schemes and scholarships were also being provided to the workers under the Sindh Workers Welfare Board.

He said the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SSS) had been established to protect the workers of private institutions, through which medical facilities and direct financial assistance, in case of accidents, was being provided to the employees and their families.

The CM said the Sindh government was taking all possible steps to ensure a dignified lifestyle for the workers. He appealed to the business community, industrialists and civil society to support the government’s efforts for the welfare of the workers.

On the occasion of Labour Day, Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah paid a heartfelt tribute to the workers of Pakistan and around the world. He stated that the labour class is the backbone of the economy and society.

In his message, he said the strength of any nation lied in its hardworking people who rose early in the morning, worked with honesty and turned dreams into reality, brick by brick. He emphasized that May 1 was not just a day to remember sacrifices as it was a day to renew our pledge to always stand for the rights, voices and dignity of workers.