LAHORE, June 17: The Pakistan People’s Party has rejected 10 per cent increase in salaries of government employees, saying the accumulative effect of the general sales tax (GST) and other taxation measures is far more than this. “The government has dropped the crumb after the widespread agitation right across the country by government employees which clearly manifests the intention of the ruling party,” former PPP state minister Sumsam Bokhari said in a statement here on June 15. He said the PPP government had increased salaries of government employees up to 140 per cent during its last tenure that not only neutralised the impact of inflation but also improved their quality of life. He said instead of broadening the tax net base and apprehending the big tax evaders, the … [Read more...]
Labour rights to be incorporated in election manifestoes
Karachi, May 5: Workers’ representatives and leading political parties have mutually agreed on the importance of including labour rights in the election manifestoes in order to ensure strict implementation of the same in the country. Political parties and trade unions representatives were exchanging views at the event, “Space for Labour in Prospective Public Policy Agenda” organised by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) in connection with its 30th birth year celebrations. Representatives of major national parties, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), PML-Functional, Sindh United Party (SUP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Awami Tehreek, Awami National Party, Labour Party Pakistan, and Awami Party participated in the meeting. Ruling Pakistan … [Read more...]
PR workers assured of political support
LAHORE, Dec 23: Two mainstream political parties and an emerging one on Dec 21 assured Pakistan Railways workers of their all-out cooperation for the revival of the organisation. Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hasan, PML-N’s Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf secretary-general Dr Atif and others were unanimous in holding the government, minister for railways, federal finance minister and railways bureaucracy responsible for the present state of affairs of the organisation. The government should immediately initiate serious efforts to revive the railways and other such national organisations. Otherwise, the rulers should leave the power and hold elections, said the speakers at the sit-in arranged by Rail Mazdoor Ittehad in front of reservation … [Read more...]
Rallies, gatherings to mark Labour Day
LAHORE, April 30 : Various labour unions have planned gathering and rallies to mark the International Labour Day on May 1 (tomorrow). The Pakistan Workers’ Federation will hold a workers gathering outside Bakhtiar Labour Hall to be followed by a march. Workers will present a charter of demands for their rights at Regal Chowk, The Mall. All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (APTUF) will hold a rally and all workers of the APTUF have been advised to gather outside Hamdard Centre on Lytton Road at 9pm from where they will march toward Regal Chowk to join the main congregation. Likewise, Women Workers Helpline (WWH) will hold a rally of women workers outside Lahore Press Club in collaboration with ActionAid. The rally will later move toward Regal Chowk. According to a press … [Read more...]
Monitoring the manifestos – IV: Gender equality
KARACHI, Feb 24: In the fourth of a seven-part series, The Express Tribune takes a look at the strategies laid out by political parties for improving gender equality. EMPLOYMENT PPP: We promise to give high priority to empowerment of women and ensure their equal rights. The party shall enunciate a national employment policy for women, facilitating job creation and women’s participation in the economy. The 10 per cent affirmative action job quota for women in public service initiated by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s government will be increased to 20 per cent. ANP: Ensure a minimum of 33 per cent quota for women at all levels of political, policy and decision-making positions and provide meaningful and necessary technical and financial support to enable them to … [Read more...]