Punjab Govt Enforces Rs37,000 Minimum Wage, Major Labour Welfare Projects Approved

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed authorities to ensure that all workers in the province receive a minimum monthly wage of Rs37,000. Presiding over a special meeting on labour welfare, she stressed that no worker should suffer hunger or financial hardship, reaffirming the government's dedication to improving living standards for the workforce.

She underscored the importance of educational opportunities for workers' children, particularly those with exceptional academic potential. Emphasizing labour rights, she directed officials to amend labour laws to strengthen worker protections, stating that wages, healthcare, employment, and shelter are fundamental government responsibilities.

The Punjab government approved multiple labour welfare projects, with CM Maryam Nawaz instructing Provincial Labour Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar to present a detailed implementation plan. Among these initiatives are the establishment of labour colonies and the revamping of social security hospitals across the province.

To improve healthcare access, she announced the launch of Maryam Nawaz Wellness Centres in Lahore and Rawalpindi/Islamabad, designed to pre-screen workers before referring them to larger hospitals for specialized treatment. Additionally, she approved the construction of a 200-bed Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Cardiology Centre on Lahore’s Defence Road, dedicated to providing specialized medical care for workers.

Expanding healthcare facilities further, she sanctioned the construction of a 50-bed Social Security Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan to cater to regional healthcare demands. She reaffirmed the government’s vision of making Punjab a model province for worker welfare, ensuring better wages, improved employment conditions, and accessible healthcare services.