Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure strict enforcement of workplace safety laws and the provision of protective equipment in factories, industrial units and offices across the province.
In her message on World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the chief minister underscored the importance of safeguarding both the physical and mental health of workers. She directed the Labour Department and other relevant institutions to take firm action against violators of workplace safety regulations.
Terming workplace safety, health and labour welfare as a fundamental pillar of national development, the chief minister reaffirmed her government’s commitment to the protection and rehabilitation of workers. She said ensuring the safety of labourers and public health remained a top priority of the Punjab government. She ordered strict compliance with safety protocols and the mandatory use of protective gear to shield workers from occupational hazards. “A healthy and safe worker can build a strong nation,” she said, urging industrialists and business owners to prioritize worker welfare. Highlighting the need to promote a culture of safety in workplaces, she noted that amendments were being introduced in labour laws to further strengthen worker protection mechanisms. The chief minister said financial assistance was being provided to 1.4 million workers through ration cards on a monthly basis, adding that another 50,000 labourers would be issued ration cards during the current fiscal year. Describing workers as a valuable national asset, she emphasized that their health and safety could not be compromised. “It is the government’s responsibility to protect the life and property of labourers and ensure a safe working environment,” she added. She further stressed that implementation of internationally recognized safety standards was essential to prevent workplace accidents.
