PM Imran vows to protect workers from COVID-19 crisis

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his message on the occasion of International Labour Day, has expressed the commitment of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government to protect workers from the coronavirus lockdown impact that has shattered economic growth.

The prime minister said that the spread of COVID-19 in the country had serious implications not only on the health of the population but also on the closure of the industrial establishment, factories and in making workers more vulnerable than before.

“Considering the difficulties of the labourers and the daily wagers due to COVID-19 lockdown, the government announced a fiscal stimulus package and allocated an amount of Rs200 billion for the poor segment of the society,” the prime minister said in his message on the occasion of World Labour Day observed on May 1.

“The government aims to develop automated, integrated systems for workers’ welfare institutions to ensure transparency and to curtail delays in providing relief to the workers,” he said.

“1st of May, the International Workers’ Day, reminds us of the sacrifices of the workers who laid down their lives for their rights. The day symbolizes the sanctity and dignity of labour and at the same time, it is an acknowledgement of the importance of workers for the economic growth of the country,” he added.

“Our religion emphasizes the principles of social justice and respect for the rights of people. Our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) himself worked on occasions including Ghazwa-e-Khandaq to demonstrate respect for work. Respect for hard work and recognition of the rights of workers are extremely important in the process of progress,” he said.

“The PTI government has embarked upon programmes of vocational training and skills development to enable workers to get their due share in job markets within and outside the country,” he added.

The prime minister said that as workers’ role was pivotal for the economic development of any country, his government was committed to ensure that benefits of economic progress translated into the prosperity of all sections of the populations including workers.

“May Allah helps us to truly put in our best efforts for the prosperity of our workers and our country,” he maintained.