By Ajmal Bhatti
Shams ur Rehman Swati, President of the National Labour Federation Pakistan, has strongly condemned the presentation of the Punjab Labour Code in the Punjab Assembly without tripartite consultation.
Swati stated that this move is a clear violation of ILO conventions and an open attack on workers’ rights.
He highlighted that the Punjab and Sindh governments had pledged in the 2024 Tripartite Labour Conference to not present any labour code without tripartite consultation and consensus with labour organizations.
The National Labour Federation Pakistan demands the immediate withdrawal of the Punjab Labour Code. Fresh tripartite consultations should be held to ensure consensus among workers, employers, and the government. All labour organizations should be given equal representation in the legislative process.
Laws should be made in accordance with ILO conventions and the spirit of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Swati warned that such unilateral actions could severely damage industrial peace, affecting the country’s economy and investment climate.
He criticized the government’s approach, stating that it seems to aim at depriving workers of their rights rather than improving them.
