Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri Decries Labor Exploitation, Calls for Urgent Action on Labor Day
On International Labor Day, Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, Chairman of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWM), delivered a scathing critique of the persistent exploitation faced by Pakistani laborers, demanding immediate and concrete action from the government and political parties.
In a strongly worded statement, Senator Jafri emphasized the fundamental dignity of workers, stating, “Protecting the honor and dignity of laborers is the duty of us all. Laborers are friends of God, and it is imperative to pay them fair wages on time.” He underscored the crucial role of laborers in the nation’s economic development, asserting that prosperity is unattainable without their tireless efforts.
However, he lamented the stark reality of widespread exploitation, including forced labor and hazardous working conditions, which continue to plague the Pakistani workforce. “Even today, a large number of laborers in our country are forced to endure exploitation, forced labor, and work in dangerous conditions,” he stated. He further criticized the government’s failure to enforce its own minimum wage policies, highlighting the disconnect between official pronouncements and practical implementation.
Senator Jafri extended his concern to the plight of farmers, warning that neglecting their difficulties is pushing the nation into an “economic quagmire.” He called for a robust strategy to counter the exploitative tactics employed by capitalists and demanded that the government ensure the rights and well-being of Pakistani workers employed abroad.
He stressed that Labor Day should be observed as a day of commitment to practical action, rather than mere rhetoric. “It is the need of the hour to observe Labor Day as a commitment to practical actions,” he said. He pointed to the lack of a functional system of checks and balances, the weakening of trade unions, and the consistent neglect of labor rights by successive governments as major contributing factors to the current crisis.
“Our trade unions have been greatly weakened. In Pakistan, democracy is not strong. Whenever a dictator or a government with dictatorial tendencies comes, they attack labor and trade unions,” he asserted.
Senator Jafri concluded by urging all political parties to rise above partisan politics and collaborate on a joint action plan to secure justice for laborers. He called for the establishment of the rule of justice across all institutions in the country.
