[sensation]

SLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday announced to enhance minimum wage for labourers from Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per month, SAMAA reports.

Addressing a ceremony held to mark the International Labour Day at Islamabad Convention Center, Gilani raised pension for labourers from Rs 1500 to 2000 per month. “The pension law is applicable on the organization hosting even five labourers,” he said.

The PM said grants for weddings of labourers’ children was also been increased from Rs 70,000 to Rs 100,000 to provide a relief to the oppressed class of workers.

On the occasion, PM announced establishment of Industrial Relations Committee, besides regularizing services of hundreds of workers from Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

“Imperialistic forces have exploited workers and labourers of this country in the past and made anti-labour laws, but the worker class could not be suppressed despite atrocities,” Gilani said.

He said: “Restoration of labour rights is part of PPP’s manifesto. We will fulfill all promises made to labourers… the Industrial Relations bill is also part of our labourer friendly policy and restoration of trade unions is a big achievement of PPP government.” -- SAMAA