Today marks International Labour Day, a day observed all over the world in memory of the Chicago workers who were killed by police while striking for an eight-hour workday in 1886. However, for many daily-wage workers in Pakistan, it is just another day of toiling under harsh conditions with little regard for their well-being.
Labourers form a vital part of every country and nation. This is because there are many tasks that one cannot perform individually, which are assigned to these labourers on very low wages. They should be paid tribute for what they do, because these tasks would be so expensive if the labourers exploit our needs and charge high for their services. For example, what if the construction workers took a large amount of salary because of the fact that we cannot construct our houses ourselves and are forced to hire them.
Unfortunately, labourers are not credited fully for their hard work, dedication and services. They deserve our financial aid and kindness, yet many times they are exploited by the wealthy and are sometimes not even given the full payment of their services. People tend to ignore or snatch the rights of these labourers, because they know that labourers don’t often have much legal protection. And even if there are legal protections for labourers, they do not know about it or how to go about seeking that protection.
Garment workers, farmers, construction workers, coal miners, and other labourers often work long hours without receiving proper compensation or overtime pay. Unfortunately, layoffs and pay cuts have become all too common, and labour unions have lost the power they once held. With inflation on the rise and the economy in poor shape, it seems unlikely that labourers will receive much relief in the near future.
The upcoming federal budget is expected to increase the minimum wage, but it remains to be seen whether this increase will consider socio-economic indicators such as the family average and consumer price index. Even when the minimum wage is increased, it can take months for wage boards to issue notifications, and many workers are not paid the minimum wage at all.
Many domestic and unskilled labourers fall into the category of the “informal” economy, which is not protected by international labour laws. As a result, these workers are at the mercy of their employers, and there is no way to ensure that they are treated fairly.
The agriculture sector, which employs around 65 million people, is also not monitored by labour laws and often witnesses some of the worst forms of labour exploitation, including debt bondage and modern-day slavery practices. The Global Slavery Index reported that over 3 million people were bonded labourers in Pakistan in 2018, and children continue to be employed instead of attending school.
A state that ignores workers’ rights will ultimately face a labour force that is physically and mentally exhausted, leading to a decline in productivity. It is essential that Pakistan’s government take steps to protect its workers and ensure that they are treated fairly and with respect.