Labor Day is being observed today across the world, including in Pakistan, and it is a public holiday throughout the country.
Crushed under the burden of inflation, unemployment, and low wages, the laborer is still in search of daily work and remains busy working even on Labor Day without rest.
In Pakistan, the observance of Labor Day at the national level began in 1973 during the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. On this occasion, events, seminars, conferences, and rallies are held in cities big and small across the country.
On this International Workers’ Day, a conference will be held in Islamabad. Legal experts, judges, and representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) will participate in the conference organized by the International Labour Organization and the National Industrial Relations Commission.
Chairman of the NIRC, Justice (Retired) Shaukat Siddiqui, said that the conference will address relations between employers and employees, and workers’ rights.
ILO Country Director Geir Thomas Tønnesen stated that awareness and implementation of workers’ rights are essential for progress.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of the Supreme Court, Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court, and Justice (Retired) Khalilur Rehman Ramday will speak at the conference on labor laws and judicial matters.
Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, as well as Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Supreme Court Bar General Secretary Salman Mansoor, and Federal Secretary Dr. Arshad Mahmood will also attend the conference.
What is Labor Day?
On May 1, 1886, workers in Chicago, USA, took to the streets against the exploitation by capitalists and industrialists, but the police opened fire on the procession, killing and injuring hundreds of workers, and dozens were hanged for raising their voices for their rights.
In solidarity with the Chicago workers, most countries around the world observe May 1 as International Workers’ Day.
Every year on May 1, this day is commemorated with the commitment to intensify efforts to improve the economic conditions of workers.
