Key Takeaways
- Punjab Assembly committee directs labour department to activate labour court within two weeks.
- Committee seeks compliance report on implementation of labour laws and workers' rights protection.
- Committee questions measures for safeguarding workers' health and timely wage payments.
The Punjab Assembly’s standing committee on labour and human resource has directed the labour department to make the labour court operational within two weeks, according to a recent meeting.
Committee chairman MPA Amjad Ali Javed chaired the meeting, where members expressed concern over the non-functional status of the labour court despite the approval of the relevant bill.
The committee observed that the labour department was unaware of the difficulties faced by workers due to the non-functioning of the court, and directed the department to ensure the implementation of labour laws and protection of workers' rights.
Committee members also questioned the labour department about measures taken to safeguard the health of industrial workers and sought details of salary payments to workers employed under the Suthra Punjab programme and other departments.
The committee further asked whether workers across Punjab were being paid wages in accordance with the minimum wage fixed by the government, directing that workers' salaries should be paid through bank accounts to ensure transparency and timely disbursement.
Regarding the provision of medical facilities to workers, the committee decided to summon the health department authorities at its next meeting to brief members on the measures being taken for workers' healthcare.
Members of the provincial assembly, the secretary labour and human resource, and other senior officials attended the meeting, underscoring the seriousness with which the committee is addressing the issue.
