The many rights and safeguards granted to employees to guarantee that they are treated fairly and equally in the workplace are called “labour rights.” Recent improvements in labour rights in Pakistan and America have tried to safeguard employees and improve their working circumstances.
Steps Taken by Pakistan:
In recent years, the government of Pakistan has taken various initiatives to increase labour rights and safeguards. Some of the most noteworthy advances are as follows:
The Payment of Wages Act was enacted in 2019, and it mandates companies to pay their workers’ salaries on time and in full. Employers that violate this regulation may face substantial fines and penalties.
Increase in Minimum Wage: In January 2021, the government announced an increase in the monthly minimum salary for unskilled employees from PKR 17,500 to PKR 20,000.
Protection of Labor Laws: The government proposed the Protection of Labor Laws Bill in August 2020, with the goal of better-protecting employees’ rights and improving working conditions.
Protection Against Harassment: In 2019, the government approved the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, which protects women who face workplace harassment.
Labor Inspection System: In 2019, the government introduced a new labour inspection system to assist in the enforcement of labour laws and the compliance of companies with labour standards.
These advancements in Pakistani labour rights are crucial advances towards improving working conditions and preserving employees’ rights. Yet there are still substantial difficulties to be addressed, such as child labour and the absence of rights for informal workers.
Labour Rights in America:
In recent years, there have been numerous notable improvements in labour rights in the United States. Some of the most important are as follows:
The PRO Act: Preserving the Right to Organize: The PRO Act, enacted by the House of Representatives in March 2021, seeks to expand employees’ rights to organise and negotiate collectively. Employers that breach labour regulations would also face fines under the plan.
Increase in the Federal Minimum Wage: The American Rescue Plan Act was enacted in March 2021, and it contained a provision to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour. This increase will be implemented gradually over the following several years.
Paid Leave: In 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was approved, which offers workers afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic paid sick leave and paid family leave.
Discrimination Protection: The Supreme Court concluded in June 2020 that Section VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ+ people against job discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Worker Protection: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released new standards to safeguard employees against viral exposure.
These advancements in American labour laws indicate major progress in preserving employees’ rights and improving working conditions. Yet, important difficulties remain, such as pay fraud and the absence of rights for gig workers.
Conclusion:
Finally, labour rights are essential for ensuring that employees are treated fairly and equally at work. In recent years, both Pakistan and the United States have taken substantial steps to increase labour rights and safeguards. Although there is still work to be done to solve the issues that employees in both nations face, these developments represent a step in the right direction towards a more fair and equal labour system.