Shahbaz Sharif kicks off Labour Conference in a five star hotel

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over inaugural session of South Asia Labour Conference which was attended by high level representatives of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, European Union, International Labour Organization, trade unions of Pakistan, chambers of commerce and labour unions including ministers and heads of different organizations and unions.Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif addressed South Asia Labour Conference in Urdu and English and his speech was very comprehensive and logical.

The Chief Minister while terming untiring hard work of the labourers as essential for increasing national production quoted the saying of great Chinese leader Chuin Li that hard work has 80% role in development and prosperity of a country while 100 percent results can be achieved if it is combined with honesty. Students of a school presented a special tableau during the conference.

In the second session after inauguration, today participants of South Asia Labour Conference and working groups reviewed technical aspects of labour laws, labour situation, minimum wages, labour migration, health and protection of labourers in South Asia. These seven working groups will formulate recommendations after reviewing labour laws in South Asia in the light of international laws.

During the formation of working groups, Ambassador and Head of European Union Lars Gunnar Wigemark while paying tributes to government of Pakistan especially Punjab on holding labour conference said that there is ample scope for further work on labour laws in South Asia.

He said that the holding of the conference besides promoting awareness will also enable different governments to perform their responsibilities efficiently for improving labour laws.

Country Head International Labour organization Mr. Francisco while talking to media said that measures are being taken in Punjab for the implementation of labour laws and holding of South Asia Labour Conference is an example in this regard. He said that ILO is also engaged in the formation of working groups and the recommendations formulated will be submitted to the government for protection of labour rights.

Focal persons of Social Security and Labour and Human Resource Mr. Pasha and Dr. Javed Gul while giving a press briefing informed that the working groups are continuing their work and they will formulate their proposals after reviewing labour laws. He said that five thousand kiln workers have been registered in Punjab during last six months while efforts are being made for registration of the remaining kilns and workers under Factory Act.