Re: Is NADIA KHAN pregnent?????
Amendments to labour laws in the works
By Irfan Ghauri
ISLAMABAD: The Labour Ministry is likely to put up proposals to amend labour laws during the next session of the National Assembly, Daily Times has learnt.
The ministry has prepared a draft bill of the proposals. The bill suggested that definition of ‘worker’ to include supervisors, assistant foremen and assistant charge men. The title of ‘worker’ would entitle them to all the facilities and benefits covered under labour laws for workers.
The bill said that public and private employees receiving salaries of up to Rs 6,000 per month would benefit from ‘workers’ welfare fund’, which includes scholarships for the employees’ children.
The bill recommends increased benefits for contract workers, such as medical facilities and death grants in case of accidental death. The bill also protects contract employees from exploitation by the employers by allowing short-term contracts. They would also be entitled to marriage grants for their daughters.
Contracts drawn for workers in the mining industry are so complicated that most of them cannot identify their employers. The proposals will also address this issue by adopting a uniform definition of workers, irrespective of their sector or place of employment. The draft bill suggests issuance of employment letters to all employees and maintenance of a minimum wage and other facilities.
Under the proposed amended laws, female workers would be allowed to work until 10pm, provided the employer provides them transport. Under the current laws, female employees have to leave work by sunset.
The bill says that women will also benefit from International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Equal Remuneration, 1951 (No 100), ratified by Pakistan in 2001. Wages will be paid on basis of ‘equal pay for equal work’, in accordance with Pakistan’s obligations under ILO Conventions 100 and 111, which are concerned with equality of work and non-discrimination in the workplace.
Female workers will be informed about their rights, including improved maternity arrangements, codes of conduct relating to sexual harassment and, where possible, day care centres for children, the bill said.
Entitlement to maternity leave is prescribed by law. According to the purposed amendments, salaries for women on maternal leave would be funded in part by the social security system, and not entirely by the employer.
Women workers who don’t come under the ambit of social security system will be paid their dues by the employers, the bill said, adding that the employer was responsible for providing nursing facilities for working mothers after their return to work. The ministry has also proposed to set up occupational safety and health councils for workers