LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that honour and self-respect is as important as economic prosperity and there is need for upholding rights and dignity of labourers and workers. He said it is the responsibility of industrialists, entrepreneurs and landlords to take effective measures for the welfare of workers and their families so that they could play their due role for the progress of the country. He was addressing functions held in connection with 'World Day for Safety and Health at Work and 90th anniversary of International Labour Organisation (ILO) at a local hotel and Bakhtiar Labour Hall, here on Tuesday. The Chief Minister said the aim of social justice and national development cannot be achieved without paying due attention to health and safety of workers. He said problems of labourers and workers should be resolved through purposeful negotiations between labour, entrepreneur and the state. He said trend of protest and agitation has become history, as the country can no longer afford such activities. He said Pakistan is facing grave internal and external threats and extremism and terrorism are posing serious law and order problems. He said there is a need for rising above personal interests and ensuring social and economic justice otherwise there could be a bloody revolution. He said all attempts at promotion of industrial, trade and education sectors would be meaningless without maintenance of law and order. He said terrorism and extremism will have to be rooted out for a safe future for the young generation and it is possible only with unity in our ranks. The Chief Minister appreciated the services of ILO for the maintenance of balanced relations between labour and entrepreneur as well as provision of healthy working conditions. He said ILO is promoting the culture of increasing productive capacity as well as production. The Chief Minister further said workers are a precious asset and the builders of the country. He said Punjab government has allocated a lions share of the budget for the poor masses as they have the greatest right on the resources. He said those criticising sasti roti Scheme of Punjab government are enemies of the poor and it is a fact that workers, widows and destitute persons are fully benefiting from this programme. The Chief Minister asked labour leaders to extend their full support to Punjab government regarding sasti roti programme and submit their proposals for its improvement as well as constitute their own committees. He said government would provide flour to these committees. He said tandoors of sasti roti are being set up in industrial areas, hospitals, railway stations and katchi Abadies for the deserving people. He said the programme of provision of free medicines in hospitals is being extended throughout Punjab so that free treatment facilities could be available to the labourers, workers as well as poor people across the province. He said he would talk to the federal government for the implementation of the announcement of minimum monthly wage of Rs 6000 for labourers as well as the solution of the problems of Wapda employees. Country Director of ILO in Pakistan Donglin Li said world peace depends upon with social justice and economic development. He said ILO is striving for the health and safety of workers of the whole world. Head of Employees Federation of Pakistan Ashraf W Tabani said the purpose of celebration of this day is to save industrial workers from mishaps and diseases. The ceremony was also addressed by President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Muzaffar Ali. General Secretary Pakistan Workers Federation Khurshid Khan said protection of rights of the workers and provision of facilities to them is necessary for industrial development. The Chief Minister also gave away awards on behalf of ILO to different private organisations for their outstanding services.