- CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif to cover educational expenses for top students.
- Announced 1,224 free flats and Rs 6 billion in grants for laborers.
- Emphasized implementation of minimum wage and labor safety laws.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has pledged to cover the educational expenses of students with outstanding performance to encourage higher education. During a meeting with top achievers from the Lahore Board on Wednesday, she expressed pride in their talent and capabilities. She awarded cheques of Rs 300,000 to first position holders, Rs 200,000 to second position holders, and Rs 100,000 to third position holders.
In a performance review meeting of the Labour Department, the Chief Minister announced the allocation of 1,224 free flats for workers in the Taxila and Sunder labor colonies. Additionally, she ordered the disbursement of death and marriage grants totaling Rs 6 billion to 29,000 workers, which were previously unpaid by the former government.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif also directed the construction of two hostels for women workers in Garment City, providing free accommodation for 704 women in Sheikhupura. She reviewed initiatives including the workers’ scholarship program, establishment of labor colonies, health facilities for workers, and reforms in the Labour Department, Occupational Safety and Health, and the implementation of minimum wage laws. The Punjab government has set a minimum wage of Rs 37,000 per month in the current budget, with an emphasis on protecting the rights of all workers in Punjab.
The CM ordered immediate measures to ensure all stakeholders are on board with the implementation of the minimum wage, expressing concern over workers not receiving their full wages. She also highlighted the lack of enforcement of labor laws for domestic workers as regrettable.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif mandated the enforcement of safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) at workplaces, particularly the use of safety gear for sanitary staff while cleaning drains and manholes.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Provincial Minister of Labour and Human Resource Faisal Ayub, and MPA Sania Ashiq attended the meeting. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Secretary of Labor, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Dal, and other relevant officers were also present.
