LAHORE: Workers’ representatives at a policy dialogue have demanded an immediate increase in minimum wage, effective enforcement of labour laws and wider social security coverage for informal workers.
Speaking at the dialogue on “Minimum Wage, Social Security for Informal Workers,” facilitated by the Labour Education Foundation, Punjab Textile Powerloom Garment Workers Union President Aslam Mairaj said minimum wage decisions had traditionally been taken through tripartite consultations involving workers, employers and the government.
He regretted that Punjab had neither increased the minimum wage this year nor convened a meeting of the Minimum Wage Board despite soaring prices of essential commodities.
He said around 45 million workers needed social security coverage, while only about 1.25m were registered. He criticised new marriage grant portal requirements, including a 2pc contribution condition and domicile requirement, saying these were making access to social security, marriage grants and scholarships more difficult.
Pakistan Brick Kiln Workers Union representative Mohammad Shabbir said brick prices had risen from Rs9,000-10,000 to Rs18,000-25,000 per 1,000 bricks since 2023, while workers’ wages remained unchanged. He said kiln workers lacked social security cards and announced a protest movement against the anti-worker behaviour of the government.
Punjab Home-Based Women Workers Union President Jameela said many home-based women workers earned only Rs7,000-8,000 a month, with middlemen frequently reducing payments. She demanded social security cards and implementation of the minimum wage for home-based workers.
Employer-side Minimum Wage Board member Amina Wali supported a wage increase, saying better wages were essential for motivating workers. She also called for protection of workers’ rights and said a notification was needed for effective implementation.
Labour Director Nadeem Akhtar said the Punjab Labour Code had been finalised but was awaiting notification as employers had proposed amendments to penalty provisions. He admitted that minimum wage enforcement remained a major challenge, particularly in SMEs.
Minimum Wage Board representative Farhan said the government had not yet asked the body to convene a meeting for consultation on enhancing minimum wage.
The participants stressed that the minimum wage should be uniformly enforced across formal, informal and outsourced sectors.
Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2026
