LAHORE – The Punjab government decided on Friday to increase the minimum wages of workers from 15,000 to 16,500 per month.
The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office here. Performance of the Labour Department and steps taken for the welfare of the industrial workers were reviewed in detail in the meeting.
The CM ordered establishing social security hospitals in Rahim Yar Khan and Sargodha as well. All the social security hospitals would be made centres of excellence through a phased programme, he added.
It was also decided to introduce automation system in social security hospitals. The chief minister hoped that this would facilitate patients in getting treatment and patients’ medical record would also be properly maintained.
The proposal of providing free treatment facilities to retired workers in social security hospitals was also discussed. The CM also gave approval to the programme of issuing special labor cards to the industrial workers so that they could make purchases on subsidised rates. The meeting also discussed a proposal of giving a special discount in providing governmental services through labor cards.
The chief minister said that work should be completed at the earliest for launching the labor cards scheme. The launch of labor cards was a praiseworthy step of the PTI government, aimed at the welfare of workers’ community, he added.
The meeting was informed that labor colonies were being constructed in different districts as an allotment in the colonies of Lahore, Nankana Sahib and Multan would be launched soon.
Labour Minister Ansar Majeed Khan Niazi, Chairman P&D, secretary labor, commissioner PESSI, secretary (Coordination) to CM and others attended the meeting.
