LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in her message on the Labour Day, has paid tribute to workers, miners and labourers across the world, acknowledging their dignity and vital contributions to society.
She extended special appreciation to working women who serve as the economic backbone of their families, recognising their struggle and resilience. She emphasised the need to ensure fair wages, a safe working environment, access to healthcare facilities and quality education for the children of labourers. She said the Punjab government was committed to improving the standard of living of workers and promoting their prosperity. “Labourers are friends of Allah, and we honour and respect them,” she remarked.
She highlighted that ration cards along with a monthly subsidy of Rs3,000 were being provided to over 1.4 million workers. Under ongoing housing initiatives, labourers were being provided with ready-built flats to make them homeowners. She said free medical treatment was being provided daily to millions of workers at social security hospitals and dispensaries. So far, 750 flats have been handed over to workers, while an additional 1,872 flats will be provided soon.
The chief minister announced that a bachelor hostel for 700 workers was being established at Quaid-i-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura. She said Maryam Nawaz Vigilance Centres and Teleclinics were also being set up for labourers, while an Occupational Safety and Health Management Centre would soon be launched at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital. Marriage grants for workers has been increased from Rs400,000 to Rs600,000, while death grants have been raised from Rs800,000 to Rs1 million. She noted that for the first time, a Gosha-e-Mazdoor had been established in Lahore, providing a resting place for daily wage earners seeking work in the open.
Separately, Maryam Nawaz expressed gratitude to the security forces for foiling an infiltration attempt by Fitna al-Khawarij at the Pak-Afghan border. She paid tribute to the security personnel for eliminating 13 militants who were attempting to infiltrate into Mohmand and North Waziristan from Afghanistan.
