CM wants strategy for well-being of labourers

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan has stressed need for a comprehensive strategy backed by a uniform legal/policy framework for the well being of labourers in the province and protection of their basic rights.

He was presiding over a meeting to review the overall progress of labour department here the other day. Besides provincial minister for Labour, Shaukat Yousfzai, Additional Chief Secretary, Shakil Qadir, Secretary Finance, Atif Rehman, Principal Secretary to CM, Shahab Ali Shah and Secretary Labour, other concerned high ups also attended the meeting.

The meeting was briefed about the about the steps taken for the welfare of labour community, fixation of minimum wages for them, progress on labourers data collection, matters related to the regularization of the contract employees of Workers Welfare  Board and many other matters.

The provincial minister apprised the Chief Minister of the issues faced by labourers working in different types of mines due to the existence of various of laws/policies under different concerned departments.

The chief minister directed the constitution of a committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary with representation of all the concerned departments to come up with workable proposals to this effect.

The Chief Minister has also directed the concerned high ups to expedite work on computerized data collection of labourers across the province and to work on drastic reforms in the affairs of labour department with special focus on Workers Welfare Board in order to make it an effective body to ensure the protection of the basic rights of labourers.

The Chief Minister directed the high ups of the concerned departments to review the existing laws/policies governing the matters of labourers and to come up with proposals for a single and inclusive law/policy under a single department in order to facilitate the labourers in an easy and better manner.

On this occasion, Mahmood Khan remarked that protection of the basic rights of labourers and their well being was one of the top priorities of his  government adding that the present provincial government is  committed to protect the rights of the labourers and result oriented steps are being taken for their  welfare.