Islamabad: Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain has announced plans to allot houses and flats to industrial workers in Islamabad, based on merit. The announcement was made in conjunction with International Labour Day, highlighting the government’s efforts towards workers’ welfare and protection.

According to Radio Pakistan, Hussain emphasized the government’s achievements in improving workers’ conditions, including providing employment opportunities abroad for over 762,000 Pakistanis and increasing remittances to approximately forty billion dollars. The government has also created new employment opportunities through bilateral agreements with countries such as Italy, Qatar, South Korea, and Belarus.

The minister noted enhancements in financial support, with the marriage grant increased from four hundred thousand rupees to six hundred thousand rupees, and the death grant raised from eight hundred thousand rupees to one million rupees. He stressed the government’s commitment to worker welfare as a top priority and highlighted effective measures taken nationally and internationally to protect workers’ rights.

Hussain reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to worker rights through the ratification of key International Labour Organization conventions. He also paid homage to the workers involved in the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, recognizing their sacrifices as pivotal to the global labor movement.