Secretary Labour, Rafiq Qureshi, on Sunday announced a series of large-scale welfare projects under the Sindh Workers Welfare Board, declaring that “no worker will be left behind.”
He said that a new chapter of prosperity would begin in the lives of workers through the Workers Welfare Card, terming the initiative a “historic step” for the welfare of the industrial workforce.
Sindh, he added, has become the first province in the country to introduce accident health insurance of up to Rs700,000 for workers at more than 270 hospitals nationwide. “Workers are the backbone of the national economy, and their prosperity is our top priority,” Mr Qureshi said.
Highlighting upcoming flagship projects, the secretary announced that 10,000 e-motorcycles would soon be distributed among industrial women workers and minority industrial labourers. The scheme, he said, would not only empower women and minority communities but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
In addition, he said, sewing machines would be distributed among women workers to further their economic empowerment.
Explaining the objectives of the Workers Welfare Card, Mr Qureshi said the initiative was designed to ease the difficulties faced by the working class. With the card, workers would no longer have to stand in queues, but could conveniently access facilities such as marriage grants and death grants.
“We will not allow the exploitation of labourers. Strict action will be taken against industries that fail to register their workers,” he warned, urging the working class to understand their rights and ensure their registration.