The way we measure development is very ironic. Mega projects like highways, multistory buildings and growing economic indicators as criteria of development without remembering the work force who made them possible is not justified. The labor who works under a burning sun, the woman stitching garments in dim lights, the farmers working in agriculture fields are not just images of poverty, they are the basis and foundation country development.
We celebrate 1st May every year. Deliver speeches and repeat the slogans and promises.
1st May is not just a symbolic day for remembering the sacrifices offered by labors on the roads of Chicago in 1986 for eight hours/ day working time and other labor rights. This transformed labor rights from local to global cause and told the world that dignity at work place is right not a privilege. This is the day for
Unfortunately, after more than a century it’s being celebrated just as symbol in countries like Pakistan with low spirit and limited to speeches and promises in rallies. No result and no change are being observed in miserable working conditions and lives of workers. Dignity of millions worker is at stake. ——-
Pakistan, in many ways, presents a worrying picture. Labor rights such as wages, working hours, occupational safety, and the right to assembly are protected in constitution. Legal framework and laws exist. Social security institutions are working with internationally aligned legal provisions.
But laws without enforcement are meaningless.
A major portion seventy three percent workforce is employed in informal economy out of legal frame with unwritten employment contracts, and conditions. There is no provision of minimum wages and job security. The workers are more vulnerable in context of their rights violation.
According to Labor Right Index 2024 report Pakistan is below from the regional average with score of 53. 5 that reflects faults and gaps in labor laws enforcement. Lived realities are worse than these statistics.
Child labour is normal phenomenon and deeply rooted in society. More than twelve million children are part of economic activities. This is not only due to poverty but reflects structural failure also. Household owners hire children by choice and ease. It’s a life sentence of missed opportunities for children.
Their days are spent in workshops, homes, and fields, often under hazardous conditions. They are exposed to mental and physical abuse. Basic right of Education replaced by difficult conditions and realities of survival. Consequences should not be considered on individuals’ level but on society as whole. A generation deprived of education means missed a potential in that generation.
Women participation in work force is about twenty three percent, which place Pakistan in lowest rank countries in this regard. Working women are facing multiple workplace issues like harassment, safety standards, low wages.
Home base sector women face many challenges which are largely not visible. Their contributions remain unrecognized and unpaid also. Social and cultural barriers restrict their mobility , make them vulnerable for abuse with no right of report.
Bonded labour a globally recognized form of modern-day slavery, is persistent and ignored human rights in Pakistan. More than a million workers are victim of this trap and policy reforms and international commitments remain ineffective in this regard. As per NCHR report Pakistan currently ranks 18th globally and 4th in Asia and the Pacific on the Global Slavery Index, underscoring the urgency of systemic action. Pakistan’s brick kiln industry, one of the most pervasive yet under-regulated sectors characterized by bonded labour. Brick kiln industry is an example of this modern-day slavery. Workers are trapped in cycle of debt suffer like bonded labor. Working conditions are very poor and kiln owners use outdated and environmentally hazardous technology and materials across country. Workers reside with families on site and exposed to toxic smokes of rubber, plastic and used oil as fuel. Polluted air. makes them sufferer respiratory diseases. Pregnant women are at high risk.
Old and outdated coal mining methods has been causingg disasters. Many workers lose their lives every year. Workers are suffering severe shortage of safety kits and equipment’s and are vulnerable to incidents of diseases and accidents. Coal mine collapse and poisonous and explosive gases cause massive human losses. Coal mine collapses, resulted twenty to twenty-five deaths just in Sor-Range coal fields. Twenty-six % workers suffered from accidents. Asif, M., Tareen, M. A., & Zakir, M. (2023).
Labour departments, have many challenges like shortage of human resource, capacity issues of staff, traditional monitoring methods and practices. That’s why enforcement is weak.
Political influence and Corruption are also big hinders. Accountability mechanisms are weak. That results a fragile system for corruption and violation as common phenomenon.
Another factor is little or no space for labour rights in political discourse. Eelectoral politics is bargaining activity in context of incentive and support. You will be given importance according to vote you have in your basket. As a result, workers are being considered as input commodities rather than shareholders. Bonding between business interests and political power made situation more unfavorable for workers.
Another important but ignored aspect is the lack of awareness among workers regarding their rights. A major proportion of the workforce remains unaware of labour rights. This is not unexpected but is a result of system fault. Labour rights are not part of education curriculum. Limited and less effective mass awareness campaigns observed.
Legal process for gaining rights is very slow, lengthy, complex and financially unaffordable
Very difficult for women due to minor representation, lack of gender sensitive mechanism, social stigma. This environment discourages reporting that minus the opportunities.
Recently emerging global economic fields and employment trends like gig economy, digitalization and free lancing are making conditions more complex for workers. Freelancers and delivery personnel are working without legal and formal contracts, job and social security and not part of labour framework. out of traditional labour frameworks. They are more vulnerable to exploitation as compare to registered workers. To protect these employees of emerging economic fields there is need of change in labour governance.
For protection of labour rights first and foremost, law enforcement must be ssupported. This demands to address the human resource deficiency, capacity issue and modern technology supported inspection and monitoring system. Traditional manual systems should be replaced by data-driven policy and decision making process.
Second, the workforce of informal sector must be brought into registration network. This could be done by simple registration processes, to make them eligible for social security benefits, and incentives. This is their right.
Third, awareness must be considered as main component of reform. Workerr must know their rights and process of getting rights. Mass media campaigns and Community-based awareness programs should be launched. Labour rights should be made part of education curriculum.
Fourth, gender must be main part of labour policy. Law enforcement for protection of women workforce must be strengthened. Due share of women representation in labour inspection and unions must be ensured. Broader labour reforms without addressing gender disparities will remain incomplete.
Finally, there is a need to ensure a powerful force behind labour force that is their union for collective representation. Empowering labour union will restore a balance of power between employee and employers, enabling more equitable negotiations.
Labour rights is not just policy issue but it is about values. What about a society where the builders of society does not afford the basis needs.? Where producers are excluded from share.? These are not abstract questions but are reflections of realities of society.
Labour Day should not be limited to a ritual. It should serve as a mirror, motivating and forcing us to confront painful truths. It should remind us that exclusive progress, is incomplete.
True dignity lies in conditions, in fair wages, workplaces safety, and equal opportunities. It lies in recognizing workers as human beings with rights and aspirations not as inputs & tools of production.
At crossroad there are two paths growth at the expense of justice or more balanced approach that values both economic development and human dignity.The choice is not merely economic; it is moral.
Because at the end, the measure of progress is not how much we build, but how fairly we divided the share of the benefit, And until the hands that build this nation are given their due, share the story of progress will remain incomplete.
Dr. Ahmed Zaman Jamali
