According to the report, workers in Pakistan suffer from an abusive environment with gross violations of their rights, especially in garment factories. A report by Human Rights Watch “No Room to Bargain ‘Unfair and Abusive Labor Practices in Pakistan'”, pointed out that factory workers suffer a range of violations of their rights, especially those in garment factories in Pakistan.

Quoted by a Pakistani publication, the report says workers are being forced to work overtime and are being denied minimum wages and pensions. The Daily Times reported that the Constitution of Pakistan provides so-called guarantees for all forms of labor and contains a wide range of provisions that grant them protection and freedom of rights.

Despite the laws, the state has tackled the arduous task of providing a safe environment and treatment for its workers. The report indicates that no safe provision is given to the worker to form independent trade unions. Unions mediate between workers and employers and help them to work together in harmony.

In Pakistan, it is observed that less than one percent of the country’s workforce is unionized and workers of factory owners are in fact opposed to the formation of independent unions and strictly discourage the practice of organizing unions because they fear it will increase the cost of business, the Daily Times reported. According to the Dawn newspaper, it is regrettable that despite the existence of the relevant laws, even the scourge of child labor remains widespread.

The sight of children involved in hazardous work in brick kilns, the carpet weaving industry, car repair shops and domestic work is sadly very common. In this regard, news from Taxila of the filing of four lawsuits against brick kiln owners should be welcomed with relief but also with caution. On the one hand, it is encouraging to see the authorities taking note of the flagrant violation of children’s rights to health, safety and education, and trying to punish the perpetrators. (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by the Devdiscourse team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)