Pakistan activists feel govt should implement laws pertaining to rights of agriculture workers

Addressing at the launch of "The State of Peasants' Rights in Sindh 2020", organised by the Hari Welfare Association (HWA) at Karachi Press Club, the speakers expressed their concern over the plight of agriculture workers, who are facing social and economic exclusion, expulsion from the agriculture fields where they work and non-payment of their due by influential landlords, reports The Express Tribune.

Akram Ali Khaskheli, president of the HWA said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has further aggravated the rights situation of agriculture workers.

Pakistan, like nearly all the nations in the world, is combating a tough COVID-19 pandemic outbreak since 2020.

The activist said a majority of agriculture workers do not receive minimum wages fixed by the labour department of the Sindh provincial government.

Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) Executive Director Karamat Ali underlined the need for the provision of rights to agriculture workers, reports The Express Tribune.

He urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to start hearing the review petition against land reforms verdict of a Shariat Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

HRCP Vice-Chairman Khizar Kazi said the bonded labour situation in Sindh is alarming and cases are increasing. He pointed out that there is a need to form district vigilance committees in all 30 districts.

These committees should be in urban areas, he added.

Senior trade union leader and President of People's Labour Bureau (PLB) Habibuddin Junaidi was quoted as saying in the newspaper that after the 18th Amendment, many labour laws have been made in Sindh.

Implementation of laws is a matter of concern and for that a comprehensive struggle is required, he said.