KARACHI: Marking International Workers’ Day, Majyd Aziz, President of the Employers Federation of Pakistan, has called for introspection by both workers and employers, urging a renewed commitment to fairness, productivity, and social harmony in the workplace.
Labour Day: Honouring Workers and Their Struggles Worldwide
In a statement on the occasion of May Day, Aziz said that International Workers’ Day commemorates the historic struggles of workers, particularly the 1886 labour movement in Chicago’s Haymarket Square, which became a defining moment in the global fight for workers’ rights.
He noted that Pakistani workers continue to gather across the country on this day, renewing their demands for freedom of association, fair wages, and rightful employment benefits. However, he observed that modern labour concerns have shifted from ideological symbolism toward practical challenges such as job security, inflation, and family welfare.
Aziz emphasized that May Day should serve as an opportunity for both employers and workers to reflect on their responsibilities. He said employers must adopt a humane and progressive approach, recognising that workers are central to productivity and economic growth. He cautioned that mistreatment or intimidation of workers undermines human dignity and workplace harmony.
At the same time, he stressed that workers also carry responsibility to maintain efficiency, discipline, and commitment, warning that low productivity and absenteeism harm both businesses and long-term employment stability.
He proposed the development of a new “Social Contract” between employers and workers, designed to create a mutually beneficial framework aligned with global social, environmental, and technological changes. According to him, such a framework would promote industrial peace, compliance with international labour and environmental standards, and sustainable economic growth.
Aziz concluded that both sides must work toward social justice and shared prosperity, quoting a Swahili proverb: “A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way.”
