At a time when Pakistan faces several crises, and its democracy is under threat, it is critical that every government ensure the right to dignity of labour and decent work for all.
At a recent conference hosted by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) speakers noted that “the backbone of any true democratic movement is a strong labour movement that advocates for social protection, fair wages without discrimination, the right to collective bargaining and humane working conditions.”
The conference concluded by presenting “a charter of demands that was approved by all participants.” The resolution presented “stated that all forms of labour must be honoured as dignified work and that labour relations and the right to collective bargaining should be free of barriers around religion, caste, gender and ethnicity. Additionally, the resolution called for social welfare and protection to be seen as a universal citizenship-based entitlement, while all workers should be entitled to a living wage, based on a decent and dignified life.”
