Lahore: In a publication, the government of Pakistan has announced uplift measures for local and overseas Pakistani labourers. The programme has been entitled ‘Ehsaas.’
The publication notes that 90% of the labour in the country is ‘ignorant’, and deprived of its social and economic rights.
The plans announced include the following measures for the local domestic helpers, skilled labour, labour working in construction and agriculture sector:
Registration of all the labourers over the next year
Mobile messaging services for the labourers
Introduction of reforms in the labour law
Steps to ensure pension, minimum wages, and safe work environment for the labour
The measures introduced for the overseas Pakistani labourers include:
Detailed briefing on the rights at the time of departure from the country
Increase in the number of Protector of Immigration offices; launching one-window operation at the offices
Increase in the number of community welfare attaché at Pakistani embassies
Low-cost air tickets for labourers abroad who have been unable to return home for more than 7 years.
Negotiations with various countries about minimum 3-year job agreements for the labourers.
