Karachi, On the occasion typically marked by Labor Day celebrations, key figures from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI) emphasized the need for substantial policy changes to improve the conditions of workers rather than symbolic festivities. Hafiz Ahmad Ali, Central Deputy Secretary General, and Rana Muhammad Sabir, President of the JUI Youth Wing in Sindh, vocalized a strong stance against the ongoing exploitation of workers and proposed significant adjustments to the minimum wage.
According to Jamiat Ulema Islam, both leaders criticized the federal government’s approach towards labor rights, labeling it inadequate in addressing the economic disparities affecting the working class. They argued that real change would only be achieved through proactive measures, including setting a minimum wage of 60,000 rupees to help alleviate the financial pressures on workers. Furthermore, they called for accountability for those exploiting laborers and urged the government to provide free educational opportunities for workers and their children to combat the systemic issues perpetuating inequality and hardship.
The leaders also highlighted the broader socio-economic challenges, including unemployment and inflation, which they claim are pushing the youth towards illegal activities and worsening the plight of the working class. They emphasized that the government’s current policies have fallen short of providing necessary relief and fundamental rights to laborers, stressing that the state must align its governance with Islamic principles to truly honor the contributions of its workers.