Inclusive Labour Rights Still a Distant Dream for Many in Pakistan
By Abid Lashari
As we commemorate World Labour Day 2025, it is important to not only honour the sacrifices of workers who laid down their lives during the historic Chicago movement, but also to assess where Pakistan stands today in terms of labour rights, protection, and inclusion.
In Pakistan, while labour laws do exist on paper, their implementation remains weak and often exclusionary. Millions of workers continue to struggle without proper contracts, minimum wages, or access to social security. The informal sector dominates Pakistan’s economy, employing over 70% of the workforce—most of whom lack legal protection or basic worker benefits.
One of the most neglected segments of the labour force includes persons with disabilities and transgender individuals. Despite the passage of laws like the Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, the actual representation of these groups in the labour market remains minimal. Most are either unemployed or forced into exploitative and undignified forms of work.
In contrast, countries like Germany, Sweden, and Canada have adopted inclusive labour policies that not only mandate equal opportunity employment but also provide workplace accommodations, targeted quotas, and vocational training for people with disabilities and marginalized communities. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has repeatedly emphasized the need for “decent work for all,” yet Pakistan lags behind in making this vision a reality.
It is high time for Pakistan to not only update its labour policies but also ensure their enforcement through robust monitoring, accountability, and inclusion mechanisms. We need labour rights that are inclusive of all—regardless of ability, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.
This Labour Day, I urge the Government of Pakistan, especially the Government of Sindh, to take immediate steps to enforce inclusive labour laws, ensure fair wages, and promote dignified employment opportunities for every citizen—particularly those who have long remained on the margins of society.
Let May 1 not just be a day of slogans and ceremonies, but a commitment to action and justice for every worker.
