We are hard-working people!

Every time during the beginning of life, some scenes not only dazzle the eyes but also leave many question marks on the screen of the mind. One such scene comes to mind every time, in which many laborers are seen sitting on the streets of busy areas with their tools in search of work. When a gentleman gets out of the car and walks towards them, all the workers run towards him. Hoping that it might be daylight and they return home after earning their livelihood. To be able to see the joy of life on the withered faces of your innocent children, to buy all the dreams and toys in their deprived eyes.

“The times of labor are very hard.”

Today, International Labor Day is being celebrated across the world with enthusiasm. On the occasion of this day, events, seminars, conferences and peaceful rallies are organized in all small and big cities of the beloved country of Pakistan and it is promised that all possible practical steps will be taken to change the economic conditions of the workers.

This day provides an opportunity to find effective solutions to the problems faced by workers worldwide such as unemployment, low wages, job security, freedom of association and social security. Labor Day commemorates the determined struggle of Chicago’s workers and is celebrated annually on May 1 in solidarity with them.

If we examine the history of the International Labor Day, the May 1 movement was actually a continuation of the movements that started in the early nineteenth century in the United States. In 1806, American workers began a movement to reduce working hours. In 1827, 15 labor unions organized a movement for working hours. In 1861, the American mine workers were also organized. In 1864, for the first time, various labor organizations decided to unite with each other at the international level. and took the form of a labor movement while the Industrial Revolution began in Britain at the end of the eighteenth century.

It was a time when the conditions of the laborers working in the industrial units were very bad. They had to put in a lot of time, were paid very little, and had no rights.

In 1884 the Federation of Trade Unions held a meeting of their own, in which they presented a resolution. The most important point of the demands was that the working hours of the workers should be reduced from 16 hours to 8 hours. The workers said that 8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest and 8 hours should be our choice. It was also proposed to implement this demand from May 1. But all efforts to legally satisfy this demand failed, so it was announced to continue the strike from May 1 until the demands are met.

16. The slogan of 8 hours of work became very popular among the workers who worked 16 hours a day. It was for this reason that by April 1886 the workers were united and ready to join the strike.

The workers of the American city of Chicago took to the streets to protest against the economic exploitation by capitalists and industrialists. The police fired on the procession, killing and injuring hundreds of workers, while dozens were hanged for raising their voices for their rights.

It is said that during the firing on the workers, a worker dyed his white flag red in the blood of an injured worker and waved it in the air, since then the red flag has become the symbol of the labor movement.

This tragic event strengthened the labor movement and finally May 1st was celebrated as Labor Day in 1891 to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the rights of workers. Formal celebration of Workers’ Day across Pakistan began in 1973 during the reign of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Inflation has broken the back of our daily wage workers. They are still deprived of basic human rights. In this regard, Zahid Farooq, associated with the Urban Resource Center, who is active for human and labor rights, says, “The situation of our workers is getting worse day by day.” Inflation is not under control. Our government has fixed the minimum wage for the workers but unfortunately it is not available to every worker. He further said that in the budget of 2023 and 2024, the wages of unskilled workers were set at 32000 and the wages of skilled workers at 36000, but the majority are not getting it. Employment opportunities are non-existent. Third party contract workers are hired on daily wages. A lot of hard work is done by them. The hours are long and the pay is very low.

Zahid Farooq said that these forced people are not even allowed to speak the truth, otherwise it is said that if you cannot give time, then definitely do not come from tomorrow. We have increased opportunities for youth (boys/girls) in fast food, home-made cooking, auto mechanic and IT fields but the amount of labor involved in all these jobs is nowhere to be seen. Similarly, our sanitary workers, health workers, condimen workers work hard. They don’t get rewarded for it. There is also no holiday on Sundays and religious festivals. The health of workers is also often affected during work. The problems of their families and communities have also become serious. Our human rights institutions, government bodies and judiciary should consider all these aspects. Legislate for workers’ rights. Take effective practical measures to improve the economic conditions of workers and their families.

In the same way, the workers, women and men working in the fields are not happy with us. Whether they work in brick kilns, break stones or work day and night in factories, mills, factories and offices. They do not get full wages for their hard work, job security is far away, they are not even given any joining letter. They have no proof of working. This is the reason why they often have to give up their legal rights.

Senior columnist and journalist Yusuf Saif gave an analytical opinion about the plight of the workers and said, “If the current conditions and inflation are kept in front, the salary fixed by the government for the workers is insufficient.” It is impossible for a family to live on this income for a month. He further said that “in order to solve the oppression and abuse of the workers, the Labor Department and the Law Department should oblige the owners of private institutions, factories, factories, mills, offices to give the rights of the workers.”

Employment opportunities, good wages, appointment letters, job security, social security, health facilities for the whole family are the right of all types of workers. Similarly, there should be a judicial system for farm laborers so that they too can raise their voice for their legitimate rights, approach the court and get out of deprivation.

Overall, we do not see a significant change in the economic conditions of the labor professionals. They have to dig pits every day to support their families. Air sustenance is sometimes available and sometimes not. If you get sick, you have to wash your hands even after eating two meals a day. Our laborers still do not get their legitimate right for their hard work. Their children do not get opportunities to get education on a regular basis.

Note: ABC Express News and its policy do not necessarily agree with the views of this blogger.

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