Pakistan violates labour rights then celebrates Labour Day
The Pakistani establishment is facing severe criticism for the "sham" observance of May Day this year. Academics and pro-labour organisations have squarely condemned Islamabad for its apathetic attitude towards the labour class who are believed to be the poorest in the nation.
They reckon that hardly any respect is paid to the work and dignity of labourers who put their lives on the line daily, just to earn enough money for two square meals a day.
To reinforce the argument, the complete lack of state control has resulted in the rise of neo-slavery, where peasants and brick-kiln workers mortgage future generations to the land-owners in exchange of a few thousand Pakistani rupees per month.
Ironically, Pakistan ranks third in the Global Slavery Index. Weak rule of law, widespread corruption and poverty reinforce political, social and economic structures in modern slavery in Pakistan.
Bonded labour is most common in the brick-kiln sector, with the majority of kilns in Punjab and Sindh provinces. Around 2.3 million brick-kiln workers all over Punjab are subject to the bonded labour system. Glaringly, they are denied basic fundamental rights, including social security and the minimum wages legally entitled to them. Workers are paid only Rs 400 per 1,000 raw bricks.
Sadly, there are umpteen cases where high-ranking police officers have been operating brick-kilns and keeping workers in private torture cells. Feudal landlords, particularly from Punjab and Sindh, wielding influence through powerful political connections, intimidate the workers into submission, stifling their voice. It's reminiscent of the medieval ages when slavery was rampant and feudal lords' writ ran all over.
Meanwhile, workers employed in the ship-breaking industry are not better off either. The notorious industry is more dangerous than mining, employing a work force of 6,000 direct workers. A paltry sum of Pakistani rupees 500 to 800 ($7 to $11) is the daily wage, which doesn't commensurate the hard labour they put in.
Also, due to lack of legislation on importing hazardous waste into the country, workers are exposed to perilous waste material dumped by the industrialised nations.
As recent as November 2016, in one of the worst cases of fire in the Giddani ship-breaking yard in Balochistan, 26 people lost their lives and many were reported missing and feared dead. Such is the sad state of affairs in the country.
Child labour is also rampant there. According to statistics from International Labour Organisation (ILO), in 2014, a decline was observed throughout the world factoring underage workers. Yet, Pakistan remained in the third spot with the highest prevalence of child and forced labour.
The Institute of Social Justice reported 29 child house-workers' deaths from torture between 2011 and 2015. In 2013, 13 children died as a result of violence perpetrated on them.
Significantly, there are 2,64, 000 underage domestic workers experiencing cruel and unsafe working environments. They are left to the mercy of their employers who routinely subject them to physical and psychological abuse, exploitation and violence.
Pakistan needs to develop a clear implementation and monitoring plan for the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1992, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Rules, 1995, and the National Policy and Plan of Action for the Abolition of Bonded Labour, 2001.
Further, labour legislation should be adapted by the government and aligned with the provisions of the ILO conventions. They have to continue to spearhead progress towards gender equality and development for women in the areas of education and employment.
Against this backdrop, it is time for the government and policymakers to realise shortcomings and move forward to invest in the training and uplift of labourers. Paying lip-service by mechanically observing May Day is a travesty of the important and critical occasion, as also an exercise in futility.