ILO DG praises Punjab’s worker welfare measures
LAHORE: International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director General Gilbert F Houngbo, leading a delegation, called on Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday and appreciated the provincial government’s measures for the welfare of industrial workers, including the allocation of apartments and provision of ration cards. During the meeting, the two sides discussed workers’ welfare,…
On Thursday, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director General Gilbert F Houngbo met with Punjab's Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to laud the province's welfare measures for industrial workers. The ILO official lauded the allocation of apartments and provision of ration cards, along with discussions on workers' welfare, labour laws, and the establishment of labour colonies. Houngbo also congratulated the Chief Minister on receiving the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the enforcement of the Punjab Labour Code 2026, following cabinet approval. She highlighted efforts to increase minimum wages, register workers, and strictly enforce labour laws. Over the past three years, 4.9 million workers have benefited from minimum wage guarantees. The government has also taken steps to eliminate child labour, enrolling 3,644 children and removing more than 70,000 from forced labour. Rehabilitation centres and dedicated helplines have been established to combat child labour.
In addition to these measures, the CM reported 42,858 inspections and 22,547 advisories sent out to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health laws. A total of 1.2 million industrial workers in Punjab have received Rs3.7 billion through the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card programme. The Labour Information Management System (LIMS) is being used to monitor enforcement, curb child labour, and improve standards.
The CM also announced the establishment of new occupational safety and health centres in various cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Furthermore, Pakistan's first Occupational Safety and Health Laboratory would be set up in Lahore, and another lab in Faisalabad would be completed by the year's end. The Chief Minister also announced the creation of 577 day-care centres under the Directorate General of Labour Welfare to encourage more women to participate in private factories and offices.
She expressed the Punjab government's desire for ILO's support in integrating international labour standards into economic growth and supply chains. Director General Houngbo appreciated the increased funding for workers' welfare measures.
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