"Wage boost in Sindh holds little promise", 22 June 2021

The Sindh government has set the minimum wage at Rs25,000 in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2021-22. Amid increasing inflation and a pandemic-hit economy, where unemployment is rife, the Rs7,500 boost to the Rs17,500 minimum wage set in 2019 is a welcome and laudable move.

...According to Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research Executive Director Karamat Ali, the minimum wage should be at least Rs35,000 to enable a worker make ends meet.

[...]

Explaining why Rs25,000 may not suffice to run an average household, National Trade Union Federation general secretary Nasir Mansoor, breaks down the numbers.

...“Even the most basic of accommodation is being rented for Rs10,000 per month. Then there is bus fare for daily travel that is likely to cost around Rs100 for a day. Keep at least Rs2,000 for electricity bills, and another Rs300 for daily-use items such as milk and flour, for a day..."]

[...]

The situation calls for a mechanism for ensuring that all workers are paid at least the minimum wage fixed by the government.

National Trade Union Federation general secretary Nasir Mansoor also highlights this exploitation of workers, saying that they have been more vulnerable since the pandemic.