President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday marked International Labour Day with messages paying tribute to workers across Pakistan and reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting labour rights and improving working conditions.
Observed globally on May 1, Labour Day commemorates the struggle of workers for fair wages, reasonable working hours, and dignity in employment.
In his message, President Zardari said the day reflects the historic struggle of workers who sacrificed for fundamental rights, including fair wages and regulated working hours, which laid the foundation of modern labour protections. He referred to the 19th-century Chicago labour movement and its demand for an eight-hour workday, describing it as a milestone in advancing human dignity.
He said the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees protection against exploitation and obligates the state to eliminate all forms of it while promoting equitable economic principles.
The president lauded the country’s workforce, saying workers across agriculture, industry, and other sectors play a key role in national development. He also highlighted the contribution of overseas Pakistanis through remittances and their representation of the country abroad.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to international labour standards, Zardari cited fair wages, social protection, elimination of forced and child labour, and non-discrimination, alongside adherence to International Labour Organization conventions.
He stressed the need for improved workplace safety, equal opportunities, and adequate wages, adding that investment in human capital, technical and vocational education, women’s participation in the workforce, and youth employment remained government priorities.
President Zardari called for cooperation among workers, employers, trade unions, governments, and international partners to build an economy based on fairness and opportunity, saying: “A nation that protects its workers, protects its future.”
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan joined the global community in observing Labour Day in recognition of workers’ contributions to national development.
He described labourers, farmers, artisans, factory workers, and professionals as the backbone of the economy, saying their efforts sustain production and services across all sectors.
The prime minister also acknowledged overseas Pakistanis, noting their contribution to the economy through remittances and their role as representatives of the country abroad.
He said the government was focusing on skill development through the National Skills Development Policy to align the workforce with global labour market demands, including internationally recognised training, language proficiency, and certification programmes.
Sharif said institutions such as the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the Workers Welfare Fund were providing pensions, housing, education, and other welfare services to workers and their families.
He urged federal and provincial governments, the private sector, and industrialists to ensure protection of labour rights and improve working conditions, calling it a collective responsibility.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s workforce would continue to represent the country globally through skill, dedication, and integrity.