PPP always remains active for workers' rights: governor

LAHORE:Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan Wednesday attended the National Labour Conference organised by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung at a local hotel in Lahore as a special guest.

Country Director (FES) Dr Al-Mut Karimi, Country Programme Advisor Abdullah Dayo, Chairman Sindh Human Rights Commission Iqbal Ahmad Dithu, Sagheer Bukhari, senior labour union leader, Khalid Mahmood and a large number of labour leaders across the country attended the event.

Addressing the moot, the governor said the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has always been a strong voice for the rights and welfare of workers. He said the government was committed to the dignity, rights and welfare of workers.

He said May 25, 1990 was a historic day when martyred Benazir Bhutto laid the foundation of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Pakistan along with former German Prime Minister Willy Brandt at the Prime Minister House.

He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto restored all rights of workers which were usurped by a dictator. He said when the PPP came to power in 2008, Yousuf Raza Gilani restored labour union. He said it is a sad thing that despite the ruling of Rs 32,000 salary of a lobourer, the workers were not being Rs 32,000.

The governor said in the coalition government, we formed a committee under the leadership of Qadir Mandokhel and struggled for the sacked employees. He said he had been a worker since 1997 and have reached here after constant struggle.

Later, talking to reporters, the governor said there was a telephonic contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he congratulated him on becoming the Governor of Punjab. He said he would meet the PM this week and a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also expected this week.