rawalpindi - The World Labour Day was celebrated across the city yesterday in commemoration of those who rendered sacrifices to protect rights and overcome challenges of labour class.
In commemoration of these sacrifices, a number of rallies were taken out in various parts of the city by the labour unions who demanded the government to solve their problems on priority basis. The law enforcement agencies and police made tight security arrangements to guard the rallies.
A rally was taken out by National Workers Union Utility Stores (CBA). The rally was led by union’s President Abid Mehmood and General Secretary Raja Muhammad Maskin while attended by a large number of workers.
Addressing the participants of the rally, the speakers paid glowing tribute to the labourers of Chicago. They said that the sacrifices given by labourers have proved it that they would never allow anybody to snatch their rights. They said that Utility Stores was a revenue generating department and the government should not privatise it.
They demanded the government to upgrade the workers of the stores department and regularise the contractual employees.
In Pirwadhai area, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Labour Wing, Pakistan Transport Welfare Association and Anjuman-e-Tajrian Pirwadhai Bus Stand also carried out a rally in connection with the day. The rally was attended by Chairman PML-N Labour Wing Raja Zafar Iqbal, Imran Khan, Faisal Abbasi, Malik Shehbaz, Khairul Rehman and Lala Mehar Khan Niazi, besides many other labourers.
Raja Zafar Iqbal, while speaking on the occasion, said that the labourers are the backbone of the country’s economy and they rendered sacrifices for the country during hard times. He said that by rendering sacrifices, the labourers of Chicago have made the whole world the custodian of rights of the poor labourers.
A ceremony was also organised at District Coordination Officer (DCO) Office to commemorate the day.
The ceremony was attended by District Officer Labour Welfare Liaquat Ali, Assistant Commissioner Saddar Tasneem Ali Khan, Attock Refinery Employee Union Morgah President Hameed Khan Jadoon, General Secretary Labour Union Kooh-e-Noor Textile Mills Syed Sajjad Hussain Gardezi and other labour unions heads and workers.
Addressing the ceremony, DO Labour Welfare Liaquat Ali said that the labourers are the backbone of the country’s economy and the Punjab government is taking concrete steps for uplifting the life standard of the labourers.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Rawalpindi took out Corruption Free Rally under the leadership of JI Central General Secretary Liaquat Baloch. The rally started from Rawalpindi Press Club and culminated at Fawwara Chowk.
The rally was attended JI District Ameer Shamas-ur-Rehman Swati, Malik Azam and other leaders.
Addressing the rally, Liaquat Baloch paid rich tribute to labourers of Chicago and urged the government of Pakistan to pay attention towards the maladies of labourers in the country. He also criticised Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif for his sons’ involvement in offshore companies and other assets.
He asked the PM should resign until completion of inquiry of Panama Leaks by the judicial commission.