Moalims

KARACHI: The government needs to fix a living wage of Rs31,000 per month, said the Pakistan Institute of Labour, Education and Research (PILER) executive director Karamat Ali.

The current system of minimum wages is insufficient and does not allow workers to lead a fulfilling life, he claimed. The minimum wages are not implemented in many industries, he pointed out, adding that currently, workers are receiving 60 per cent less than the actual amount fixed by the government.

Ali was addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday. Senior trade union leader Habibuddin Junaidi, Umme Laila from HomeNet Pakistan and economist Dr Nadia Tahir also spoke on the occasion.

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The speakers said that a committee of researchers and experts, led by Dr Tahir, has been formed to prepare recommendations for the living wages of labourers employed in the textile industry.

Another committee comprising trade unions and labour-supporting organisations has also been formed. This committee will prepare a set of recommendations for the formation of new types of labour organisations.

These decisions were made during the two-day workshop, titled “Asia Floor Wage: Regional Solidarity towards a Living Wage in Garment Sector”, jointly organised by PILER, Asia Floor Wage Alliance and Clean Clothes Campaign at PILER Centre.

During the two-day consultation, researchers, trade union leaders and civil society representatives discussed and debated regarding the various aspects of wage structure in Pakistan.

Trade union leaders from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also attended the conference and shared their experiences regarding the introduction of living wages in their respective countries.

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics senior economist Dr Muhammad Irfan, former Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Majyd Aziz, Fasihul Karim from Employers Association of Pakistan, Sindh Labour Department joint director Ashraf Ali Naqvi, Javed Gill from Punjab Labour Department, former Government of Pakistan chief economist Dr Pervaiz Tahir, Collective for Social Science Research director Dr Asad Sayeed also attended spoke at the two-day event. Press release

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2015.