Copyright pakobserver
LAHORE – Punjab Labour and Human Resource Department has launched a large-scale campaign to enforce minimum wages and key provisions of the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act 2019 across workplaces in the province. Director Labour Welfare (Lahore South) Nadeem Akhtar said that teams are conducting surprise inspections at factories, workshops, and other establishments employing manual labour. The initiative aims to ensure workers receive fair wages and operate in safe, healthy environments, in line with directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the Labour Minister. “No employer will be allowed to underpay workers or compromise on their safety,” Akhtar stated, adding that enforcement officers have been instructed to strictly monitor compliance and take prompt action against violators. According to Akhtar, between January and September 2025, the department inspected 1,330 factories. Out of these, 707 were found compliant with labour laws, while 623 faced prosecution for violations such as non-payment of minimum wages, lack of protective equipment, and poor safety standards. The OSH Act requires employers to maintain safe workplaces, provide protective gear, ensure proper ventilation, keep accident registers, and train workers on occupational safety. The labour department will continue inspections across Lahore and other districts until full compliance is achieved. Public awareness campaigns and collaboration with employers’ associations are also planned to encourage voluntary adherence to the law. Officials said the campaign highlights the government’s commitment to protecting labour rights and ensuring decent working conditions for the province’s workforce.
