Solidarity with Workers on the International Labor Day

You may know someone who works eight to twelve hours a day or more as a domestic worker or security guard or driver or mason or cobbler or gardener or industrial laborer etc. These are all job titles that never appear in answer to the question we are all asked in primary school: What do you want to be when you grow up? These professions and workers do not capture our attention unless we need any menial and difficult task done. Internationally, the number of these workers run in billions. In most countries, May 1 is celebrated as the International Workers’ Day, whereas some countries observe this day on dates significant to their national history. May Day was first given formal recognition in 1891 to acknowledge the demands of workers like the eight- hour work day and universal peace or ideal conditions of freedom, happiness and cooperation amongst all people.

Some workers work in their country of origin while others are migrant workers. The International Labor Organization (ILO), a specialized tripartite agency of the UNO comprising trade unions, governments and companies, works for the social and economic uplift of the workers. It has given various recommendations and conventions for safeguarding the interests of workers. One such convention is the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in 1998 which ensures five labor standards including: freedom of movement, right of collective bargaining and elimination of forced labor, child labor and discrimination.

Pakistan is signatory to 36 conventions of the ILO out of which 31 are in force. Of the many kinds of workers, the rights of industrial or factory workers are most comprehensively covered by the laws in the country which deal with their issues of minimum wages, leaves, working hours, contract, job termination, pensions, occupational safety standards, protection from abuse, right to unionize etc. Two such laws are the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance 1968 and the Punjab Shops and Establishment Ordinance 1969. The rights of domestic workers are also protected through law. One such piece of legislation is Punjab Domestic Workers’ Act, 2019. Besides, the Articles 11, 17, 18, 25 and 37(e) of the Constitution of Pakistan also guarantee labor rights.

In spite of legislation, there is poor implementation of law and hence, the condition of labor rights in Pakistan needs reform so that it can meet human rights and international labor standards. We, the general public, can adopt some practical and effective steps as informed citizens to improve the general condition of labor rights in the country. This May Day, we can resolve to do the following in our personal capacities:

a. We can treat our house- hold workers (the kam wali masi, khansamaa, chowkidar, driver etc.) Kindly, not burden them with excess work, speak with them politely and pay them their full wages in case they take a day or more off due to unavoidable circumstances.

b. We should be aware of the factory conditions of local brands through news and boycott their products in solidarity with their workers. The protest by Khaadi workers in May 2017 should be kept in mind when 32 workers demanding their rights under Pakistani law were fired by the management. If the public takes a principled stance to ensure fairness, it can pressurize the factory owners to pay more attention to human welfare than filling their too-full coffers!

c. We can also help any needy worker in our social circle through alms. In case of severe human rights abuse amounting to sexual assault or threats to life, those holding power can offer legal help and protection to serve as deterrents and motivation for others.

Last but not the least, the state must ensure efficient implementation of labor laws according to international standards, local economic conditions and social practices. The dignity of labor can be preserved through these small but sure steps.