Gurpreet Singh :- Marking International Labour Day, Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Friday moved a resolution in the ongoing special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, calling for an increase in workers’ wages and a revision of minimum pay structures in the state.
Speaking in the House, Sond said that workers are the backbone of the economy and their contribution is vital for the progress of society and the state. He emphasised that every major development project stands on the hard work and dedication of the labour force, which deserves due recognition and fair compensation.
The minister highlighted that the base rates of minimum wages in Punjab have not been substantially revised since 2012. Although periodic increases have been made in dearness allowance, the core wage component has remained unchanged, leading to growing concerns among workers amid rising living costs.
Through the resolution, the government has been urged to take immediate steps to revise minimum wages and ensure that labourers receive fair and adequate remuneration. The proposal also stresses the need to acknowledge the dignity of labour and strengthen policies aimed at improving the overall welfare of workers.
The session, convened on the occasion of Labour Day, also recalled the historic struggle of workers for an eight-hour workday, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the Haymarket movement in Chicago in 1886.
Reaffirming Punjab’s ethos of hard work and social justice, the minister also referred to the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, highlighting the importance of honest labour and equitable distribution in building a just society.
