New Pak Government pro-labour: Union leader

Kochi, Apr 19 (UNI) The new Pakistan Government, led by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, is pro-labour and has promised to increase the minimum wages from Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,500, Baluchistan Federation Trade Union leader Abdul Satar said today.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Satar, who is here to attend the eighth International Trade Union Congress, said '' there is no restriction on trade unionism in the country and it is working according to the law of land.'' The new Government was chalking out labour policies to protect the rights of the working class and this was an encouraging sign for thousands of workers in that country, Mr Satar noted.

He said the new Government in Pakistan should also consider solving the problems of downsizing, low salary and wages, and price rise.

On trade unionism in Pakistan, Mr Satar said the trade unions need more freedom to assert their rights and there was a need to change the common perception on trade unions.

Asked on the advent of globalisation in Pakistan, he said '' when MNCs come for business, the workers should be taken into confidence and the labourers should not be dismissed at the whims and fancies of the global coporates.'' UNI MA GD SP BST1519