News
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Rs 7,000 minimum wage under new labour policy* All industrial, commercial, other establishments to pay wages through bank transfers
* All contract employees in public sector to be regularised soonStaff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday announced Rs 7,000 as the minimum wage for labourers – an increase of Rs 1,000 from Rs 6,000 – under the new Labour Policy 2010, which was approved by a special meeting of the cabinet earlier in the day.
According to the new policy, all industrial, commercial and other establishments registered under any law would pay wages to employees through “cheques/bank transfer”, and all contract employees in the public sector would be regularised within the “shortest possible time”.
Addressing a gathering here at Convention Centre, Gilani told workers from across the country that labour policy approved by the cabinet “reflects the vision of Benazir Bhutto”. He said the policy would benefit around 50 million labourers, who were playing a key role in the development of the country.
The prime minister praised President Asif Ali Zardari for “pursuing the labour-friendly policies”.
According to the new policy, social insurance for old-age benefits and health services would be introduced on “self-registration/voluntary basis, to benefit all workers in the formal and informal sector of the economy, including self employed citizens. The registration of all workers would be linked with the smart cards being issued by NADRA.
Gilani said the entitlement age for old-age pension would be reduced from 55 years to 50 in case of mine workers.
Gilani said tripartite monitoring committees would be set up at the district, provincial and and federal levels to monitor the implementation of labour laws, particularly those dealing with the payment of wages, and the work environment and timings. All workers registered under the ‘Universal Registration Scheme’ of the EOBI would be eligible to benefit from the Workers’ Welfare Fund.
Subject to recommendation by monitoring committees, dismissed/retrenched workers would be paid legal aid up to a maximum of Rs 15,000.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk